Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Sorry, one more point about usb-
I don't know why, but many very high end DACs have opted for mediocre usb input/converter modules that make usb a poor input choice for that particular DAC. Maybe they believe, as you were told, that it's not worth the expense since most DAC users are still feeding their DACs bits via spdif from a transport. Berkeley Audio (and Concert Fidelity) are one of only a few companies that I respect their decision to exclude a usb input entirely with the attitude that if you need usb you are willing to use a properly implemented external USB to spdif converter.

Steve oviously puts huge effort, thought and energy into his usb input (read about his well respected Off-Ramp technology) as he believes his DAC is an ideal match to a computer as source as well as a transport. Alex's APL DSD used the XMOS chip for usb to very good effect, and I know that the CAD DAC and several others are designed (like the ODSE) to be used with a computer as source, so the usb input is better because it has to be.

I think that as Servers become the standard source, usb and Ethernet will replace SPDIF (AES, BNC), etc. But that last bit is my own opinion. I encourage the gentlemen from APL, Empirical and CAD to respond as I am truly curious about their thoughts as to what direction the future of digital transmission will take as Servers and NAS storage become the standard.

Sorry for the long message.

"He was telling me that USB sucks as a connection and that AES is the best if you find a DAC that has it and that their 5k unit uses a BNC s/p diff connection."

USB sucks if the design is poor, just like anything else that is poorly designed.

"He said that any DAC is DSD capable with some program from JRiver and that it's marketing BS saying a dad is DSD capable ( believe that's how he put it)."

Jriver can convert DSD to PCM for the non-DSD DAC, but there are DACs that are truly DSD capable, and double DSD.

"I don't want to go back and reread this whole thread so my question is where do we stand on DACS under 5k?"

Favorites are Bryston, Sony HA series, Metrum Hex, Resonnesence.

"What about what the Baetis guy told me? He also said that digital cables make a HUGE difference compared to analog and I fully believe cables are huge and always have heard a big difference."

S/PDIF, AES and USB cables all make a big difference.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Another DAC to consider is the Chord. Even the Qute with my Dynamo power supply and Short-Block USB filter is really great sounding.

As for digital interfaces, the problem with USB is variability with the computer software. I think there will be less of this reliance on the computer and S/W with Ethernet renderers. This is why I have designed a renderer that is interchangeable with my USB interface in any of my products, called "Interchange". Availability summer 2014.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Steve,
To shoot another direction.... What AES/EBU Cable(s) do you recommend? Your SPDIF Cable is absolutely da bomb, and wonder if you could share anything about any AES/EBU Cables you may have tried?

Thanks!

Wow, thanks to you all.. Steve, thanks for the response, but I have to share that I really thank you for taking my call. It has helped clear up a TON! I really want to hear your DAC. The only problem I ever have with mail order is that I need to hear things first for obvious reasons. As I told Steve yesterday, I need to have a balanced analog out (true balanced) as it's the only way the Ayre will sound special. I have my phono going now too, so I can't use the digital volume controls in any of the DAC's...too bad as that would be simple to just get a nice amp and use the DAC for both jobs.