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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
erikminer
433 posts
 
Anything new and exciting?
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
996 posts
 
That's the thing about digital. There is always something new and exciting just around the corner.
And right now, at its price, the Berkeley Ref dac can't be beat as the current world reference. The price tag of $16k isn't eye-popping but the positive reviews so far indeed are. Can it be better than the megabuck dcs Vivaldi or the Esoteric Grandioso? The audiophile world waits with bated breath for that sort of shoot-out.
As good as the Overdrive ODSE is, whether it befits the title of this thread, "Absolute top tier dac ...." is left to the everyone here to ponder but not by much, I would venture.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Everyone seems to think that the Overdrive is just a case of "particular customer preference". Well, I encourage you to read some of the professional reviews. They state over and over that tracks these reviewers play have never sounded like this before through ANY other DAC. This really is an exceptional DAC and a giant-killer at this price. There are a lot of technical breakthroughs in it that are not present in any other DAC. Look for a review from Dagogo on the next couple of weeks, more of the same.

And BTW, the Overdrive SX, which will be available soon is a lot better.

Steve N.
Emporical Audio
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Steve, as soon as you have a detailed description / specs of the OV-SX, please post a link to it here!

Saluti, Guido
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
996 posts
 
Here's the link to Audiostream's review of the Overdrive ODSE + Power Supply + Final Drive + Short Block

http://www.audiostream.com/content/empirical-audio-overdrive-se-usb-dacpre

Reviewer's comments, comparing it to the Bricasti M1 :-
"The Overdrive SE sounded closer to the tonal balance and general sound of the Bricasti Design M1 DAC. The $8995 Bricasti was even faster and more resolving in the midrange and highs than the Overdrive SE and while possessing much of the general ease of the Analog DAC. Adding the Final Drive, Short Block, and direct balanced connection brought the Overdrive SE’s performance closer to that of the Bricasti Design M1."
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