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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
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
991 posts
 
Thanks, Scott, for your very informative reply.
Please correct if I am wrong - for 24/192 data, the transport can transmit this to the DAC which then downsamples to 24/96?
computer_audio_design's avatar
computer_audio_design
8 posts
 
Scott, is it your opinion that the internall SSD sounds better than an SDxc card? I was told otherwise, but have no direct experience.

The thing is that a 500GB SDXC card in now about GBP400 and in a year or 2, 1 TB will likely cost that amount. That means that one can hace one's ENTIRE library in the top pocket with say 5 to 6 1TB SDXC cards and these cards are not constantly shifting data around for efficiency sake like HDDs and SSDs and are ligtning fast, as evidenced by their use in hi-speed photography.

Hi Wisnon,

In my experience an SDXC card does sound better than a standard SSD, but is more expensive. As you said for the price of a 500GB SDXC card you can now get a 1TB SSD. But the question I have spent a lot of time on is: Why does it sound better? I feel I have found the reasons and have implemented that technology into the CAT.

Best Regards,
Scott
www.computeraudiodesign.com
computer_audio_design's avatar
computer_audio_design
8 posts
 
Please correct if I am wrong - for 24/192 data, the transport can transmit this to the DAC which then downsamples to 24/96?

Hi Jon,

The 1543 DAC has no capabilities to upsample, downsample or filter. The CAT can be set up to take 24/192 data and output 24/96 or anything else you would like.

Best Regards,
Scott
www.computeraudiodesign.com
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
991 posts
 
Hi Scott,
1. What happens to 24/192 data after transmission from the CAT to the DAC which supports sampling rates up to the maximum of 176.4?
2. Can the CAT output to any other dac or is it, by virtue of its single output which is usb, limited only to the CAD DAC?
3. My conclusion is that the CAT cannot function as a stand-alone transport without the DAC. Is this correct?

Best regards. J.
wisnon
700 posts
 
Thanks for the comment Scott.

For me, the beauty of the card solution is the non-shifting data, the ability to handle data rapidly and most importantly, the ability to travel with your ENTIRE music collection in your wallet. Ultimate MOBILITY!

Price? just give it 2 years….

The tech is reminiscent or the Porzilli "Memory Player".

Keep on making your good stuff. Knowledgeable people (in the industry) have given your products the thumbs up.
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