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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
4orreal
91 posts
 
Audiolabyrinth,
I disagree, check the Audio Exotics site. Their most worshipped DAC currently is the Trinity DAC. That tiny single box has replaced the 3-4 box DCS Vivaldi in several systems in Asia. I think it is quality and implementation that matters, not the number of boxes. For some of them, the cost of the power cords for their Vivaldi stack was almost the price of the Trinity DAC.
aplhifi-usa
38 posts
 
I were willing to spend $16K for a DAC I would certainly put the Berkeley on my short list.

Fair enough Al, though a $16k converter should at least give the option of DSD64 via S/PDIF. But that is just my opinion, as well as the fact that there is no other reasonable explanation, except for being on a strict budget.

Elaboration will be the fact that there is an additional signal path for DSD (basically bypassing their DSP) necessary for providing the DoP/DSD capability, as well as additional clocking.

And personally even the true statement of yours:

"quality of implementation is likely to trump the theoretical advantages and disadvantages of any particular design approach."

It does not really justify using bunch of OpAmps from DAC chips to output. Sorry, it is again just my opinion.

Best,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
joecasey
484 posts
 
Funny today there's a story Manual transmission is becoming extinct in US.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/09/11/manual-transmissions-getting-rarer-in-us/

I am a closet...
I knew it! Agear, what are you really trying to tell us? Have some courage Woman. You can do it. Are you going to live a lie your whole life?

Agear doing what Agear does best. Audio Benghazi. Unfortunately we're not sure what his particular cause is....: until after the election. Impeach and trial him for MURDER!
erikminer
433 posts
 
Op amps Shmop Amps...At the end of the day (if I could spend 16 large) I could care less if the thing uses peanut butter for caps and mouse nuts for resistors it's how the bloody thing sounds that matters... and it sure seems that the folks at Berkley know what they're doing..

And hey Audioengr.. how about a little apology to Al for your douchy poke at him the other day.. I think it would go a ways towards sprucing up your image..
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
your welcome Almarg.
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