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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
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.
agear
1,362 posts
 
10-04-14: Nickolaspappas
Crazy that this thread is still going! Just wanted to pop in to say that the Rowland Aeris dac that Matt sold to me (thanks again Matt) was not fully broken in when Matt was evaluating it. After putting several hundred more hours on it, it has opened up significantly. It sounded good when I received it, but the output today is something else. A night and day difference. Anyone considering it should keep that in mind when reading Matt's comments on it.

What I suspected. Time to revisit when the amp quest is completed? Your experience with the Burmester gear is very telling.....
agear
1,362 posts
 
09-28-14: Ketcham
Hi,

I would like to state that the overdrive se playing red book was significantly better than the emm dac2x playing dsd of the same recording. Better holography, transients and decay. To me more visceral, engaging and organic.

I would strongly consider the sx and either not bother with dsd or have a dsd dac.

I think that's more a matter of what DSD dac you have. How is the Allnic with DSD?
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