Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Matt I'm totally with you on that. On that speaker thread I brought up the 'system' deal. Everything interacts differently with each other. That's why a thread like this is interesting, but if folks buy what YOU like then they are wasting money. You've been the first to state this. We could put everyone in this thread in your room under the same conditions and there will be a lot of agreement. Some things like decay, attack, coherency etc... will be heard by all (if they are shown what to listen for), however timbre and other traits will be heard differently by everyone. This is why I finally went back to purchasing a total system together and selling off everything else I've purchased over the years. I just realized again, that it's all about matching everything from components, to cables to room to ....you all get the point. Too many folks, spend too much money and are disappointed. I get that many on this board just love the components, but I have always loved the music even more. How many of you guys/gals will play only audiophile tracks on your system? I was never a tube roller, but I've been a tube guy most of my life. I've seen guys spend as much as the amp itself on tubes, when they would have been happier listening wise to just buy the better amp. I guess that would take away from their hobby and search for nirvana though.

Andrew, Grannyring,
That system synergy is essential is indisputable. I have been in this hobby for about 20 years and when I finally got it all together from source to speakers 2 years ago, I am just too scared to change any one component in the chain, including cables and accessories. And so I have not. I have only recently added a media player for hi-res audio. Adding isn't half as stressful as changing, especially if you are just adding to expand your music collection/experience. It would be like adding vinyl to one's music experience and with that, all the analog components that go with vinyl.
As for now, I simply want to forget about the equipment, kick back and be awash in the music, literally.

Matt,

Tube rolling is not the beez kneez, but a useful tweak for gear. For the Big 7, you only have a few parameters to change. You can rioll the rectis, but the stock stuff ia already very performant. Then you can roll the output tubes with vintage RCA/Cunningham 45 triodes globes (circa$150 pair), PSVANE WE Replica 101d-L, or 45 triode ST shape ($100 a pair). For the 2A3 lovers they have many rolling options, but some thing they are microphonic.

The consensus is that the 274b will be the best recti and that vintage RCA globe 45s will give the best result, and that the Psvane WE replica sounds very, very decent but YMMV.

Remember this a DHT Dac, so no small tubes allowed!

09-19-14: Grannyring
Now I have to be careful and not mess with it! Also hard to do:)

I will beat Joecasey to the punch by saying I am most certain you will do just that!

Quick interrupt, but doesn't anyone use Herbies tube dampers on their 6SN7 tubes? I am pretty sure there would put be so much bickering about differences in tube types if everyone used Herbies dampers. I am using them on '52 Sylvania 6SN7GTs (Bad Boys) and '42 Tung Sol 5U4G coke bottle rectifier tube.