Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

I see Matt. That's too bad. The MM line is nice, and they are not gurly mon speakers as I think Mike is implying here:

08-03-15: Mikelavigne
Matt,

.... the MM3's are 'big-boy' speakers and a hard act to follow.

i owned Kharma Exquisite Reference 1D's for 3 years, then had other Kharma's. they very much remind me of the Martin Coltrane. i also owned Marten Dukes. then eventually i ended up with the EA MM3's for 5 years. i can see where those speakers do come close to the MM3's in some ways, but are not quite capable of the whole picture. they have that transparent and refined ceramic mid-range, and that 'Kharma' coherence. but they don't quite get the total weight and tone in the mid range of the MM3's since they don't quite have the heft in the bottom end.

I have had near field setups in smaller rooms in the past, and while they work, its not completely satisfying irregardless of the speaker.

TBG - what other speakers were on your short list before jumping on the BMC wagon?

Matt,

My pleasure. I see that you do look into everything and that is satisfying to me, as you give a fast and honest assessment against your wants and needs.

Good fun and we all get to see and mull over new discoveries.

Updated list (these are my serious considerations at this time):

T&F - Isis/Ra
Avalon - Isis/Time
BMC - Arcadia
Joseph Audio - Pearl 3
Avantgarde - Duo Grosso
Vandy - 7
Marten - Coltan

Rowen looks interesting. But unavailable in the U.S.

Backes & Mullet also looks interesting. But I can't read German so the web site is tough to navigate and it looks to me like their speakers have either rear ports or rear facing passive radiators. I don't think that would work.

Ypsilon Phaeton - neither the website nor the U.S. Ypsilon distributor have a speaker listed for Ypsilon. No Phaeton to be found.

JBL - I remember hearing JBL systems a few times. I found them to be dynamic and big but lack subtlety and refinement.

TBG used to own Tidal Contriva Diaceras a few years back and loved them then. I recall his enthusiastic post where he said they were the only speakers he knew that presented no compromises.

A buddy in Holland just got the new Tidal Flagship L'Assoluta and is loving them. They have diamond drivers everywhere and he says they are absolutely transparent. Tidal seems to be one serious speaker company.

Gear, the MM3s are HUGE. They show with Dart gear here in Geneva, so I know them well enough. Beasts.

Matt what about the MM Mini2??? That is super as well and I have heard them in a whole day session last Feb with Dart gear. Much smaller footprint and same house sound and the big and little brothers.

Failing that...Vapor Perfect storm or Derecho?