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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
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Its good to hear that I'm not the only one doing continuous improvements. Small companies are agile enough and have lower overhead, enabling this.

The unfortunate thing is that most buyers believe the best performing products come from the large companies that spend a lot on advertising and marketing teams. They definitely have the most expensive products....

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
992 posts
 
It's a shame that this thread has degenerated to product touting by a persistent small manufacturer.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
FWIW, I tried to talk about tubes for tube digital products here, was going quite well actually, untill someone believed this thread should be only about solid state Dacs and asked us on this thread to stop, mmm, we should have not, that was some very interesting talk and I learned alot more from that then these dac conversations!
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
992 posts
 
Should be ok, AL, as long as it isn't product touting.
essrand
297 posts
 
Am still eagerly awaiting a comparison between Overdrive and K-01. Any chance that would be happening soon.
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