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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
ctsooner
2,104 posts
 
Why balanced if they won't be a true balanced? Does a balanced/non balanced connection still keep unwanted noise out? Just curious. thanks.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,483 posts
 
Hi Ctsooner, I have two pairs of Balanced interconnects, My amp is Balanced only connections, and has Krell cast connections, one interconnect retailed for $2,800.00, the other interconnect retailed for $15,950.00 !!!, Both are one-meters long only,, Believe me when I say this, I do not want to send cables back to cable factory to reterminate one end, LOL!, an adapter is no where as good as a direct balanced connection on the player,no matter if the player is single ended circuitry, my amp is 100% balanced from input all the way to output, so does anyone have some advise where to send my player?, cheers.
ctsooner
2,104 posts
 
Does it have a digital output? Sounds like it just has rca's like every other CD player around (for the most part)
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Uhrn... Shouldn't this topic of single ended to XLR on CDp deserve its own thread? G.
ctsooner
2,104 posts
 
Probably. I just started to ask questions when I read it. Sorry.
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