Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Alex - I resent that you are implying that my Overdrive adds coloration. I also have the same exact goals of accuracy and natural liveness and I in fact achieve them.

This was a cheap shot IMO.

Steve N./
Empirical Audio

Matt - if your speakers are large, and you are getting sufficient bass, I would stick with the big room.

Treatments can be attractive, such as the graphics covered side absorbers. They are actually art.

1/4 round tube traps are really just an extension of the speakers and look like furniture too. May people that see mine just think it is more speakers or part of the speakers because they are located right next to the speakers.

One thing that is important though is to eliminate as much of the floor bounce and echoes as possible. Thick, large area rugs work and overstuffed chairs in the room will help.

If you are not already using the EQ features of Amarra, then this is a no-brainer. They will make $20K speakers sound and perform like $100K speakers. The EQ is really easy to use (just see my Computer Audio Info webpages). You will need an audio analyzer hardware and software. I often use my iPad with an analyzer app and a Earthworks M30 mic and preamp. The Mic is around $600 and the preamp is $400. This mic is the reference that most professionals use. There is a compensation file included that makes the response of the mic ruler-flat. See the same webpages for links to this.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

I suggest a rule for this discussion: No comments whatsoever from Steve or Alex with regard to one another's products. To do so is totally unprofessional.

I second Steve on his recommendation for large/thick/dense area rugs.... Their beneficial effect can be further enhanced by resting them on top of one or more layers of non-skid latex sheets... Yes, I did use a latex non-skid underpad under a thick woolen rug when I had hardwood in the living room.... Rug was better than naked hardwood, and non-skid pad + rug was better than rug alone.

G.

Alex,
Sounds like my kind of DAC.. I'd like to compare your DAC to my Totaldac rig, but we can't all be as cool as Matt ;)

The Totaldac is something else IME. It is extremely raw sounding, meaning whatever and everything that is on the file, is what you get. Explosive dynamics, contrasts from soft to loud are startling, and it fleshes out any performance you throw at it. This DAC also gets the depth and height right. Not only center depth, but far corner depth that goes as far as the recording does. It is as close to the best vinyl rig as I've heard digital get, and really makes the speakers vanish. Perhaps the most non digital sounding DAC?

Nice write up also Matt. Tells allot about your system and tastes, and glad you found your home with the ODSE. Steve has been working on that one for a long time, and sounds like it has really blossomed into something special.

I also can't help but wonder what a more dynamically capable source would bring to the outcome of these comparisons. This is a very important part of the chain.

Cheers!