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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
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I don't have any measurement data on these other DACs or clocks.

"What happens with the computer clock (MacMini) when connected via USB to the ODSE? Does the ODSE clock override the Mac's?"

Yes, the USB interface clock in the ODSE overrides the Mac clock.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Gotcha. Thank you. Can't wait to hear the SX.
mitch2
4,002 posts
 
This seems to be a good place to throw out a question about a possible "top tier" DAC;
Have any of you heard the Aqua La Scala Mk II?
Darko and Srajan at 6moons both called it the best they have heard in their systems, "without the shadow of a doubt," and The Ear gave it 5 stars.
At around $6K it doesn't even begin to enter the ultra priced market but rather competes price-wise in the same arena as the OD SE, Lampi Big 6, and Metrum Pavane to name a few.
Issues include no DSD, two tubes, and no distributor or dealer that I could find in the USA.
ketcham
92 posts
 
Usb is asynchronous so I thought there is no clock from usb card. Word clock is only for spdif. there was a great article from 2010 demonstrating external clocks performed worse than dac clocks. I will email the article to matt.

Steve. Eta on the release of the sx. Would late March seem about correct?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
USB has an embedded clock, just like S/PDIF. It is used in Async interfaces only to capture the data. It is then reclocked to the S/PDIF or I2S interface. Backchannel handshake insures there is no overrun.

March availability of SX is about right.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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