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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
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Thank you Nickolas, your findings corroborate my own experience with the Rowland Aeris.... At about 800 hours Aeris sounds "quite good", but its magic is not unleashed until the device stabilizes completely.... And that does not happen until at least the 1200 hour mark... But might be even further in time.

G.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
I don't remember exactly now, but I think I had about 1k hours on it +/-

Glad you are loving it, it was an exceptional dac that, I guess, got even better. Cool.

You can't go wrong with any I have heard really. More ear and system dependent then anything else....
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I think all these comments on break in suggest that in the main reviewers are not experiencing components as buyers of them know them. Matt should be congratulated on his thoroughness in gather all these units, but were they component really optimized?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Matt - Just shipping the DAC will create lots of static charge build-up, not to mention all of the temperature changes. Another break-in is required each time.

This is why even fully broken-in components don't sound their best until the last day of a show like RMAF.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
onestaudio's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
onestaudio
143 posts
 
Wow, I very impressed that you have this DAC audition thing still going on. Sounds like in impossible situation... Too many choices, the brain can't differentiate all the choices.

You should buy a turntable.
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