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
Matt, considering you have stupid crazy good system, stupid cable is indeed in the works to be coming your way, btw,get the best cable's you can find to be on hand,I want you to report back to all your honest findings after you listen to the cable's that's coming .
Matt,

Did you ever compare PS Audio Direct Stream Dac to these other nice and very expensive dacs? I am curious how dacs that do not cost the earth to have compare. My experience dictates that there are a ton of really good dacs that run head to head and may even be better depending on the listener's system and taste.
Yes. PS Audio direct stream came and went a long time ago. I have not tried it since then and it has gone through many many upgrades in software. 

My ODSE is about the same price and in a different class altogether. For the money (well under $10k) the ODSE is an absolute juggernaut! Nothing can touch it's capabilities for anything close. 
This thread started off with many many under $10k dacs. I initially was looking in the $4k-$12k range. I spent a lot of time wih a lot of dacs. It's quite a few pages, but a good read. 
You'll find no better DAC than Chord. I just bought my second one, after selling the one I had for 12+ years. Before I got the new one, listened to many others at way higher prices, and, I came back to Chord.

Cheers,
Jonathan