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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
calvinj
2,599 posts
 
@mattnshilp. Yes that would be me I have the resonessence invicta dac. I use the sdxc card ps to listen to most of my music. I have someone upconvert my music to dsd using KORG audiogate and I use the sdxc cards that are 128gb and can hold about 30 albums in dsd. My friend Bob Spence recommended this option to me. I'm going to purchase the 256gb to get 60 albums on each. I prefer not to have my dac run through my computer. The sdxc cards allow me to do that. I love this dac and it will be with me for a long time. I heard the psaudio against it and it held its ground pretty good. I'm happy and won't be changing it. Great detail, weight, soundstage and imaging. Highly recommended!!!
wisnon
700 posts
 
Yes, the best thing about the Invicta is the built in SDXC TRANSPORT. This is the cleanest transport out there, really. I wish 1TB cards were out and were affordable.
calvinj
2,599 posts
 
Yup you don't end up worrying about the cables, transport or the cpu making any noise. It takes the cpu out of the equation after you store things on sdxc cards.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Sandisk has announced a 512GB full size SD/XC card in September 2014. List Price is a little steep at $799. This might be the largest SD/XC currently available. See:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/12/6139057/sandisks-512gb-sd-card-is-the-biggest-in-the-world
I suspect we might see 1TB cards in 12 to 18 months.... Meantime, 512GB in a solid state media player is nothing to sneeze about already. G. And this card targeting photographers and vidographers should be fast enough to minimize any jitter caused by data reads.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
And if your DAC supports USB thumbdrives, 1TB USB sticks are already available. See for example this hefty Kingston
device, currently priced at Amazon for $997:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00E65QM8O/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1418496148&sr=8-1

G.
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