Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Guido- Playback Designs apparently has a whole new line and I have not heard any of them. They have good reports and I can not dismiss what I have not heard. 

On a side note for those headphone junkies and those looking for less expensive DAC options....

I spent a wonderful night (2 nights ago) at Distinctive Stereo in River Vale, NJ listening to some awesome gear! Larry’s dedicated room is big, sounds great and houses many audio libations and temptations. Merrill of Merrill Audio, my neighbor Mike and I spent a night with Larry listening, eating sushi, more listening and much male camaraderie.

At the conclusion of the evening i noticed he had a Underwood Exogal Comet Plus and I asked to borrow it to try out with my cans since I saw it had a headphone jack on the side. Well I can tell you that this DAC, fed by the Aurender N10, straight into my ZMF Blackwoods gave me the single best headphone experience I have ever had! I actually enjoy listening through the Exogal more then the Chord DAVE; it was just more musical and engaging. I couldn’t turn it off! I may need to buy the damn thing and I had no intention of even considering it. Although I haven’t tried it (yet) on my main system, I would imagine it’s way better then it’s humble price suggests it would be. I believe the engineers from Wadia had a hand in its design.

So if you are looking for a stereo or component give Larry a call. He is the importer of German Physiks speakers which are pretty damn good! But he also has some other great kit. And if you have a pair of headphones, call Larry and buy a Comet Plus and be amazed!

If interested, maybe I could put together a group buy with him and we can get some discounts. Message me if interested.

Now back to top tier dacs and servers.

Aolmrd- that makes it a worthwhile DAC considering.....  my statement before sounded negative when it was meant to be positive. .  

Matt,all is good. Thanks for all of your work and effort in dac land.
Mark

Had to share...69 pages.  ;)  3422 responses (guess this makes 3423).

It's crazy to see where we are in this thread and honestly, it's just getting legs with new stuff and continued DAC info.  BTW, I just installed my Audioquest Diamond USB cable and it's awesome.  Can't tell you how much of a difference it's making. I also installed (later) my new/used AQ Horizon balanced interconnect between the Ayre AX5/20 and QX5/20.  It takes my system (with the Vandersteen Quatros) to a new level.  It's a huge component upgrade to my system and I'm hearing music in a different way.  This DAC has to be even better than I thought with the information I'm getting and it's even more musical and relaxed.  If there was a thin layer of glass between me and the music, it's gone.  I think it was Matt who gave the ref of glass or maybe I read it on another board, but it made sense to me.  The Horizon (it's the precursor to the AQ WEL TOTL cable) and solid silver.  Just so relaxed in it's presentation.  My wife asked what the hell I bought now. She didn't realize I put the cable in (it was from a friend and I couldn't resist).  When she notices changes I listen and ask her what she is or isn't hearing.  She isn't into audio in the least.  She nailed it from it sounds 'more quite' (blacker background) to sound more like the concert we were at (was listening to the Joe Bonamassa Carnegie Hall album that is his new release.  She took me there for my birthday last year the night before the major blizzard, lol).  Tina Guo's cello was in the room with us.  It was just so revealing and tonally correct.

I had the shortblock also and loved it. I noticed a large difference when I used my ODSE/SE with a USB cable Steve sold me with the shortblock.  I personally feel the Diamond and the TotalDac cables are my favorite. I believe that the TotalDac has the 5v sever deal built into that box on the cable.  not sure.