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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
 
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.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
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.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
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
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Guido - supporting DSD would require a complete redesign of the SX DAC, including a new D/A chip. It makes more sense to put it in a completely new design that uses a chip that supports this. I am not a real proponent of DSD anyway, but I will make it available to my customers.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Audioengr, your old colleague, William Elder, has one up and running presently in double DSD and I have it.
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