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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
 
I have heard/read 500 hours per setting.

I will burn in the 2 or 3 most frequently mentioned settings on the forums and then listen.

The ODSE finished off its month straight of digital food. I turned it and the computer off to give them a well deserved rest. I'll turn both back on Monday for a good listen Wed.

The K-01 is on day 2 of a it's 45 day'ish whirlwind tour of the digital burn in show.
Staring - holy crap, if I have to burn one more piece of kit in I'm going to blow an audiophile grade fuse in my cabeza!
With special guest - uh oh, now I need a new power cord, spdif cord and XLR interconnect for my K-01! I knew this was going to cost me more then I thought...
Featuring - obsessive compulsions
Produced by - an unyielding need to find the best performance possible no matter what it takes or costs.
Directed by - If my wife asks you, that cable was $132.78! And of course the store gave me full credit on my previous purchase with this trade/upgrade, and a killer discount as well....
And sponsored by my favorite quote: My worst fear is that I die and my wife sells all my stuff for what I told her I paid for it!!!!

As my great grandmother used to say, "Oy Vey!"
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
great post matt!, I got a good laugh from your humor.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Guidocorona, Hi, could you please back me here to a couple of none believers that the Esoteric K-01 player you own does take 1200 hours to burn-in, that is burning in the player in general, and then each setting, add all them hours, there you have it, it may be more?
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
matt, as far as you Esoteric player goes, I would not consider more exspensses for a while, the player should be really good with everything stock, and use the cables you already own,be carefull when you play with power cords, they are quirky, and it is difficult to find the proper voicing match to any componet, a difficult rabbit hole to go down, but when you do get a revolutionary match, the outcome is quite stunning!
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Electronic components should never need more than 200 hours or so. The capacitors are the most difficult to burn in aren't they? I've never heard my gear need more than 300 hours but maybe my stuff sucks. Personally I'd never buy anything that needed that much burn in as I like to listen to music more than gear anyways but that's me. Companies should put their gear on a bench and burn them in before shipping if they really need more than a couple of hundred hours. Jmho
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