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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
agear
1,362 posts
 
08-28-14: Phasecorrect
...there have been a lot fewer "quantum leap" products than the industry will care to admit...

true, true. particularly in the digital domain.
agear
1,362 posts
 
08-28-14: Mattnshilp
.... I want to work on a dedicated listening room - which will give me WAY bigger SQ improvements then changing my DAC.

I think that is wise. When my room was completed, I plopped a Bestbuy grade test system in there, and I was more taken by it versus my silly audiophile grade rig.

Congrats Matt on your spirit of experimentation here. I have been in that mode furiously for over two years and have lost my mojo a little due to fatigue. I did really want to hear your comparison of the tubed entities (ODSE, Lampi, Romulus), but oh well. Either way, you win. Congrats....
jwm
918 posts
 
Has anyone heard the Antelope Zodiac Platinum DSD dac? Some are saying this is one of the best out there now.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
I have heard about the Antelope but never heard it.

It is supposed to be quite impressive, but I have never heard anything about its voicing. Warm? Analytical? etc….

Maybe I'll email them also. lol.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
To all interested tube-o-philes. Especially those that felt I should have tried an external USB converter and tube rolled the Lampy Big 6...

Please check out the "Taking the Lampizator Bug 6 to the next level" thread in this same forum. It is excellent and JaFox did everything with NOS tubes, upgrades/mods, and external USB converters that people wanted me to do. I'm SO glad he did all or this.
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