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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
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Audioengr, Are you saying the ODSX Diamond has the same volume control as the ODSE?, If I recall, matt had problems with the volume control not doing no sound at all when turned all the way down, matt, Am I correct on remembering this?, Steve, this is why I asked if the volume control would be better?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Audiol - it has the same volume control. It has internal jumpers if you need zero volume to be more quiet. I think mute is a better choice if you need it dead quiet. This is a part of the volume technology. it does not go to zero unless you mute.

I have used the ODSE for many years and never needed zero on the volume.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Steve walked me through set up last week on mine and using Ayre gear you can tell if something isn't quiet. I have the volume control on, but I don't use it and I hear NOTHING from the tweeter when I'm not playing anything. Not sure if that's what you guys are talking about, but the noise floor is very very low and it helps with the overall sound. I accidentally let the system on last night and went up this morning to turn it off. I put on a few cuts and DAMN did it sound sweet. I can tell it's starting to burn in as the stage is bigger. Instruments are no where near the speaker (the sound is wall to wall). The bass is tightening up and so tuneful. I didn't expect this and it's not fully burned in yet. The Vandy's have never sounded so nice to me. Me needs to upgrade now, lol....
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Thankyou steve for your propmt response.
4orreal
91 posts
 
Heads up on the "JMF Audio DMT3.7 Universal Transport" under development. The JMF Audio front-end (the DMT3.7 transport and the DXC2.2 MKII converter) is the only source in the world capable of playing all types of discs and converting any audio to 705/768kHz!

Some of the features are:
JMF Audio optical mechanism and disc handling.
JMF Audio signal processing and clocking, common to all sources.
Independant power supplies for disc drive, audio and video
Two modes of operation: pure audio and audio/video.
Outputs audio stereo SPDIF and AES-EBU 192kHz.
Outputs audio multichannel over HDMI in PCM and DSD;
Outputs video over HDMI, full HD, upscaling to 4k.
Easy control with the JMF Audio MBR1 remote.
Advanced control with tablet/smartphone/computer.
Audio discs: CD, SACD, HDCD, DVD-Audio, Bluray Pure-Audio
Audio/video discs: DVD, Bluray
Files: WAV, FLAC, AAC, DSD...
Decoding: Dolby True HD, DTS Master Audio...
Streaming: DLNA
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