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
congrats mattnship, I did all my wireing to my system, no need for a electrician if you have sence!I have the same set-up a you do, it works!, however, remeber, though a dedicated ground for each circuit does sound better, doing so will not flip each breaker on this scheme when problems occur, thats why it is not code!
11-13-14: Almarg
11-12-14: Ctsooner
I'd recommend for your electrical is to have totally separate and grounded (to earth) circuits for EACH outlet. I did that and it makes a huge difference.

11-12-14: Agear
I too have dedicated lines with with isolated earth (ionic) grounds.
Matt, I would advise against this, if I am correctly interpreting that what is being recommended is running outlet grounds to an earth connection other than the one that grounds the service panel. If that is not a correct interpretation of what is being suggested, I'm sure the others will clarify further.

Any two bit electrician could provide that counsel. Al, how do you optimize grounding, or are you one of these flat earther engineers from the 1950s who believes coat hangers are comparable to any hi end cord and any well designed power supply is enough to negate the need for power conditioning, etc? (Judging by your many posts, it seems you are not). I have conversed with multiple dudes like that on other forums, and it makes for an entertaining thread.

My ionic grounding scheme was provided by Lyncole, an engineering company out of California who typically does defense, military, and lab installations.

I think the grounding game is a very interesting subject and worthy of another thread as Al suggested. I have quite a few audio buddies who have toyed with grounding boxes (Tripoint and Entreq) to good effect. The stock engineering response is that the only reason those boxes work is poor equipment grounding schemes.
The best grounding sceme is to isolate every components grounds from each other in the signal cabling, but use common earth ground for all, so there are no ground loops. I do this using combination of good analog transformers and digital isolators.
I went down to the box yesterday and it does have ONE earth ground for the box. There are two boxes, but it's the same box. He put the smaller one in so that I can easily find the 20amp circuits for the whole loft (where the audio system resides). I will say that the breakers are different from the ones in the big box (rest of the house). Like I said he's an audiophile and knows what he's doing, so maybe he installed 'audiophile breakers' (j/k).......it is all copper wire though.

Matt, he'll be there with his new amp for the 7's. it's an all day deal. my email is ctsooner@alumni.ou.edu if you want to get in touch. Like I said, I'll be there all day. I'm hoping to listen to the Ayre phono pre as well as the Romulus as I think that's what he'll be using on the 7's.......would be fun to meet. Thanks to you all for the info on the electrical. I love learning.