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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
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
"It's not BS, as introducing signals having significant high frequency content (e.g., fast risetimes and falltimes), and that likely have significant amounts of noise riding on them, can potentially cause issues at supposedly unrelated circuit points elsewhere in the design."

What are you talking about? Where did you get your EE degree?

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
almarg's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Steve, I'm surprised at your question.

What I'm talking about is the fact that depending on the quality of the design digital noise can couple between different parts of the circuitry in a component, via grounds, stray capacitances, etc. Potentially/theoretically resulting in increased jitter at the point of D/A conversion, and/or effects on analog circuitry.
Where did you get your EE degree?
BSEE Columbia University
MSEE Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

+ 33 years experience designing and managing design of analog, digital, A/D, and D/A converter circuits for defense electronics.

In any event, the bottom line on both of our posts is the same: Implementation is what matters.

Regards,
-- Al
joecasey
484 posts
 
A brief off-topic comment: Matt, congrats on the new Porsche. I (and my wife) have been thrilled with our 2014 Cayman S, which as you no doubt realize is the hard-topped counterpart of your Boxter. Be aware, though, that its stock high performance tires cannot handle snow or ice (assuming they are the same tires as on the Cayman S), and MUST be changed to winter tires if you want to drive on those surfaces.
Almarg, I hope you didn't get an automatic Porsche??
erikminer
433 posts
 
Sucks getting your bluff called Huh? LOL

Anyway back to a less silly posturing.. If I was Matt considering that at the beginning of this very long journey the original goal was:

"Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD"

I'd "really" want to get a listen to the Berkley.. but that's just me..
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Al,
You were polite in not asking Steve where he got his EE degree.
Charles,
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