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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
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Wisnon just asked me off thread what SQ I was looking for. Here was my response:

SQ - as I explained, I want tight accurate base with finesse and refinement but I want impact and scale. I want to feel
It. I want the second and third harmonics from the base that makes the music engaging. I want leading and trailing edges that are accurate but not overstated or blunted.
I want mids that are full and textured. I want complexity and layers and nuance. I want highs that don't shriek and make me wince. Just extended properly reproduced highs with clarity and detail with an inner core of music and depth.
Most importantly, I want my feet to be tapping and I want to be emotionally engaged. I don't want to think about the next song I'm going to hear because I'll be to caught up in the one I'm currently listening to. I want my eyes closed and my body & soul swaying and bobbing to the music, no matter if it's a crappy MP3 or hi-Rez or vinyl.

Is that asking too much?
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
JWM - I had a pair of Boenicke W8SE+ in my room for several weeks and I enjoyed them. But they didn't give me the scale and dynamics I am after. And the W20 is rear ported, actually rear horned. So it won't work for me.
wisnon
700 posts
 
Ktema!

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?17217-FS-Franco-Serblin-Ktema&highlight=ktema

http://audioshark.org/speakers-10/franco-serblin-ktema-speakers-any-opinion-5258-page5.html#.VcXZUksbpGw
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Ktema has 2 large rear firing woofers and 2 rear firing ports.
Not for my room.... Although I'm sure they are great.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
I heard the Trenner Friedl RA Box speaker driven by the Viva Aurora at CES 2010 and it left a lasting impression. Show conditions and yet it was one of the very best presentations I've heard. Utterly natural and realistic tone.dynamics and musical flow/pace. Simply very emotionally involving(real musicians playing in real space,very tactile). It made other systems(most of them more expensive) sound dry, sterile and hifi(canned) relatively speaking.

I have no idea how the TF RA would sound driven by high powered transistor amplifiers such as the Burmester 911. The Viva is an entirely different animal, but a beautiful one with those speakers. I could have stayed in that room the entire day.
Charles,
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