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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
 
Audiolab - No plans to build a streamer. I have other projects on my plate right now.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
wisnon
700 posts
 
Matt,

I am going to have a full day listning session with the Dartzeel Ethernet dac/Integrated amp (the one soon to be released) in 2 weeks, i will let you know.

USB stick is a no-no for ultimate performance and NAS(ties) have too many issues in terms of signal degrading connections. Packetized data gives problems.

Ultimate performance (IMHO- informed by some insiders I know and respect) will come from optimized SSDs and SDXCs, BUT not sure they should be in the dac box. Given that, all this may end up in the speaker, like Linn Xact, Devialet Phantom or Goldmund Metis lines.

What does Linn Marketing say? The speaker IS the source. LoL

Just MHO and food for thought.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Thankyou audioengr, that would be awsome if you did make a statement streamer with a quality volume control to be used straight to amplification, you would be the first!, there would be a huge market doing so, I would buy quikly from you if you done this.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Wisnon, what is the concern for SSDs or other solid state mass storage module housed inside the DAC chassis?
wisnon
700 posts
 
Guido,

In addition to the constant bit shuffling to facilitate speed optimization, there seems to be power related issue too that you can flesh out from this thread:
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f10-music-servers/battery-powered-solid-state-drive-tweak-really-works-23292/

SD cards are already optmised for streaming. Just look at the high speed photography/video market. Audio is thus trivial for SD card tech.

Keith, again I remind you that a Streamer is still in the digital domain, so no chance of an analog vol control there. You would need an embedded Dac to first convert to analog. Only analog can go straight to norml power amps.
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