Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Don't know squat about DACs, but I'll just mention in passing that I bought a DEQX device for time coherence correction and room EQ, which has considerable DAC capabilities which I am still exploring. I think the DEQX DAC may have just bested the inboard DAC of my ARC Ref CD-8 CDP.

Check the thread, "Is DEQX a Game Changer?"

Bifwynne, what was so very impressive to me about the DEQX you just bought is the FACT of they used public addresse cheap speakers at the biggest audio show in 2012 and got Best sound at show award with this unit!, coming from the likes of Stereophile and the Absolute sound as being astounding, would make any decent speakers sound way better than the over priced speakers I have exsperienced in my life time!, is this a game changer?, possibly, I may buy one myself, and the good news is, It is a pre-amp too!

Did anyone else go to the NY/Brooklyn show and come back disapointed?

I gave myself 6 hours for the 2pm-8pm open hours and thought I would need more time. I got stuck doing errands and didn't drive until 3. By 4:45 I was done…

2 floors, and the lower floor only had like 4 or 5 rooms.

Lampy was there, but had some speaker issues early on, which closed him room for most of the time I was there. It was opened at the end and I listened, but nothing grabbed me or blew me away…

Totem/Diavalet room sounded great. As did the new Kef Blade II with Parasound. Legacy Audio had speakers making good performances in a few rooms. Not much really reached out and grabbed me, and nothing came close to the sound I get from my own room at home. I guess that's a good thing…

On the downside, my errands and work pulled me from any chance to listen yesterday morning. Sorry.

Mattnshilp, I know of many manufacturers and distributors not even going to the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest because it is expensive and they sell little. It is too bad as such shows are now about the only way we can get to hear new components with most dealers long gone.

Perhaps we should come to the realization that we are a small minority. You have been the lucky one getting all your dacs in for home demonstrations. It probably has been twenty years since I have even seen an audio dealer much less bought anything from one after hearing a demonstration.

AudioL - no, I used to offer a tube DAC. This one will have a similar SS output stage to my SX DAC, but direct-coupled. This means it does not have coupling caps and is not class-A.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio