Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Audiolabyrinth,
Grannyring's TRL DUDE or my Coincident Statement are both well south of 10K (much less) and both would be considered premium level performers IMO. Naturally between these two personal taste decides preference. You may not choose either compared to direct source to amplifier. As Grannyring noted, some will lean toward the direct sound, just depends on what presentation you are drawn to . I'd guess that Matt's Criterion preserves musical information and involvement he finds diminished or absent with direct source alternatives.
Charles,

Audiolabyrinth,

How much does it cost to get better sound in a stereo system. $5,000 or $50,0000?
How much does is cost to get a better sounding turntable or dac?

Answer? Well that depends on what you're willing to spend and the sound you are trying to achieve.

This is what all Aphiles must answer for themselves.

Thanks Charles1dad, It's just like most of all of you, I am kinda tripping on all the money I am spending in this hobby right now, I do not deny your and grannyring's pre-amp is better than most direct to amp set-ups, However, not to get off the subject, buying cables at the level I bought into would be insane!, just one of my interconnects cost $15,950.00 retail, No, I am not that stupid, I paid $7,000.00 used for 1-meter balanced, even at that price, can you imagine the total of tring to keep the same level of performance in cables intact?, man, like I said, Re-morgage the house, who knows, I respect all of you here, I may bite the bullet and take the plunge into an active pre-amp one day, another thing, I only have cds, No need for a pre-amp currently with my set-up, well see charles what I might do in the near future, Happy listening.

Thankyou Guidocorona for the Roland pricing, that was some great info on the differences of the Roland pre-amps as well.