Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD


Hi All.

Putting together a reference level system.
My Source is predominantly standard 16/44 played from a MacMini using iTunes and Amarra. Some of my music is purchased from iTunes and the rest is ripped from standard CD's.
For my tastes in music, my high def catalogues are still limited; so Redbook 16/44 will be my primary source for quite some time.

I'm not spending DCS or MSB money. But $15-20k retail is not out of the question.

Upsampling vs non-upsampling?
USB input vs SPDIF?

All opinions welcome.

And I know I need to hear them, but getting these ultra $$$ DAC's into your house for an audition ain't easy.

Looking for musical, emotional, engaging, accurate , with great dimension. Not looking for analytical and sterile.
mattnshilp
08-11-14: Agear
08-11-14: Erikminer
30,000 hours to break in.. gotta be typo that's more than 3 freakin' years!
Erikminer (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

That was no typo. This dac was designed for a dedicated and chosen few with true zeal and audio endurance to scale this Mount Everest of digital reproduction.
What's the rest of your system?
Fxxxxxx incredible!, Matt, that is the most views I have ever seen, you need to work for a cable brand or something, you know how to talk to folks and keep their interest, Your hired!, congrats matt for a successful thread, I enjoy it, thankyou for your reply, that number is Awsome to say the least, cheers to matt everyone!
08-12-14: Joecasey
What's the rest of your system?

As you might expect, its formidable:

I have a dedicated listening in my parents basement that is approximately 13x 15 x 7 ft. Walls are cinderblock. Floors are concrete with a single shag rug, a wooden chair, and one naked lightbulb. In addition to my L7, I am running an unmodded Pioneer 535 DVD player as a transport, a highly modded Sansui AU-517 integrated that is the envy of my local audio society, and a pair vintage Pioneer CS-911As slung together with home depot grade zip cord and no-name ICs. I like to crank it to 100 dB and above for dedicated listening late at night, but the neighbors will often call the police. I have been told that you can hear from system from blocks away on a still night. This makes me proud and is honestly why I am in the hobby....