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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
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.
aplhifi-usa
38 posts
 
Tbg/Norm,

Nice review you wrote on the Zilplexes! Link here:

Zilplex Resonators Review Stereotimes

As far as I know, Franck Tchang has pioneered the acoustic resonators. Link here: Franck's Resonators

Have you auditioned both and what you think about how they compare?

I was introduced to Franck and his amazing resonators many years ago at Clement Perry's listening room. It was a miracle.

Now I have Platinum (front), Special Gold (rear), Silver (sides) and Pro Copper (low front).

Just curious!

Best,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
agear
1,362 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.

You are quite the restless soul Tbg. The question I posed to Matt was more allegorical in nature.

08-27-14: Tbg
My guess is that you will have nothing in your system other than your room in five years.

Your guess would be incorrect. Wifey wants to move in 2-3 years so I will have to build a new room. As for the equipment, the dac, power conditioner, a Tripoint Troy (pending), and the Moasaic cabling will most likely all be there. I am still deliberating on amplifiers. I do plan on moving up the food chain with Dale's speakers with the prospect of a larger room so the Illuminations may be gone. I also have my eye on the Trenner speakers from Austria for a second system fronted by the Auralic Aries and a Lampizator of some sort. This is all predicated on God granting me the time to do all this.
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
Audiophiles are highly insecure by nature...we contantly need validation from resources, publications, friends, etc...and the industry knows this..truth be told...there have been a lot fewer "quantum leap" products than the industry will care to admit...that being said...this is an exciting age...as the improvement of downloads suggests
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Matt, Are you going to officially conclude this shoot-out over?, Have you crowned the Empiracal audio ODSE the winner? or do you have some goodies coming down the turn pike, like The Romulas that I question, As to why it never made this dog fight, like I said, There is more than one place to get a Aeshetix pandora signature, Romulas signature, I bet the factory them selfs would indulge in such a shoot out here considering all the exsposure of views that you could tell Aesthetix of, cheers.
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