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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
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.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Trinity DAC

Any thoughts?

It sounds like an Uber version of my ODSE.

Steve, have you heard a Trinity?
wisnon
700 posts
 
Its $52K, so….U can expect a lot for that.

I heard it with PSA Transport and Vivid Giya speakers.

It was very good, but the music was unfamiliar as were the speakers.

All this is a matter of taste, but the Trinity has a lot of cool tech inside. Analog oversampling, Lianotec, etc.
jwm
918 posts
 
Mattnshilp I think you are on the quest to hear every dac on the planet, more power to you. If you continue there is no end to this task. I recommend to put your efforts into a good analog system.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Lol.

I actually have a relatively short list of DACs left (currently) to hear. But some of them are very expensive. I'll do it slowly. No Rush.

And I have a pretty good analog system. My Teres Audio table and Graham 2.2 arm are pretty darn good. The Denon cartridge is not the best, but it's pretty good. And I'm working on a phono stage upgrade. So the analog is there, do no fret.

The whole point of this wandering thread is Top Tier Red Book DAC. It's a lifelong goal. The rest of my system is metamorphosing into something quite miraculous as the upgrades, room build, and search progresses. The SW gets better and better, and the search is so much fun! I'm learning so much and meeting such nice people along the way.
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