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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
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Matt, I sat thru many demonstrations at CES where people hearing the demonstration expressed disbelief for what they heard. One guy sat thru another demonstration to be sure that no one changed anything when the Zilplexes were put into place. He didn't buy them, but I heard him tell a guy in the hall to give these things a listen.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
I like the pcm 1704 myself, I like better the pcm 1796.
agear
1,362 posts
 
08-26-14: Mattnshilp
I remember reading on another post that you felt the Big6 was the best of your bunch when it came to Red Book CD. In fact, I was going to pursue a Big7 until I read that. Do you feel that your Big7 is superior in regards to its USB input conversion and ability to unravel the zero's and one's of a Red Book data stream? The Big7 certainly is making a bigger buzz then the Big6 does.

Matt, how is this germane to your quest (which I thought was over)? What is the ODSE missing that keeps you up at night dreaming of other digital. My search is over.....:/
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Agear, I never really ever thought that I was in a search, but in the early 1970s with my ARC electronics and Infinity Servostatic 1 speakers, I was very happy for over five years, until I learned of the 1As. Since then I have had 24 different speakers and many amps etc. I no longer would ever say I'm done with my system.

I now am listening to only double DSD for digital and although I have an Exemplar eXpo Oppo 105 mod but very seldom use it. I am not going to bother with even universal players because I don't think anything but high definition downloads will be available in the future. Hang onto your cds. My guess is that you will have nothing in your system other than your room in five years.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Question was out of curiosity. You guys are raving about the Big7 and I am curious why the man that designed and builds them choses the Big6 over the Big7 for red book.
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