2. digital
  3. 1398132150

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
paul79
174 posts
 
Steve,
Totaldac Server/Reclocker, which is an ARM based mini computer running RT Lenux I think, with optimized power supply. This feeds the reclocker (in same chassis) with a USB Cable jumper. AES/EBU output to the DAC.

The NAS and Server are on the LAN ports of the router. This is all controlled with MPD software using Mpad App on Ipad. No homerun Ethernet or internet required.

The Ethernet cable going from NAS to Router is less important than the one going from Router to Server IME, but there is still an improvement even here, with the better Ethernet cable.

The better Ethernet cables provide much greater image focus.

Albeit, this is not as great a difference as different USB Cables make on a USB DAC, but the difference is really there.

Routers make a difference also! Belkin seems to be the best and most efficient here. I have Hynes supplies running the NAS and Router (12V) and the difference these made was unbelievable.

I use the Belkin AC1200 DB, and the Qnap HS-210 Dual Bay Fanless NAS with Crucial M550 1tb SSD's

So it all still matters I am finding, at least with this setup, but once dialed in, it has been quite revelatory for the sound here.
paul79
174 posts
 
How you guys post so quick? Mine sometimes take over a day to show up......
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Paul79 - that is a bit disconcerting to hear. I'm hoping it will not be the case with my interface. I did not galvanically isolate because Ethernet is coupled with magnetics....
Steve N.
Empirical Audio
paul79
174 posts
 
Ya, I hear ya. Hard for me to believe when I started all this, but tuning is necessary to get the best results. I to was of the mind frame that with the packet correction and retry, the digital source would not matter. Not so!!

I will say that I could never get a computer or a Mac to sound like what I have going here. The transparency and focus is really unbelievable.
agear
1,362 posts
 
11-06-14: Paul79
Ya, I hear ya. Hard for me to believe when I started all this, but tuning is necessary to get the best results. I to was of the mind frame that with the packet correction and retry, the digital source would not matter. Not so!!

I will say that I could never get a computer or a Mac to sound like what I have going here. The transparency and focus is really unbelievable.

I agree with that Paul. Do you use the Totaldac as well or just the server? What does the rest of your system consist of?
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