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
Aplhifi-usa, by "built-in attenuator" I assume you are speaking of a tiny device that controls volume rather than a pot. If so, in my experience such devices are nowhere near a quality pot. My BMC has such a device and sounds much superior when set with it out of the circuit and the pot of the Koda K 10 used. Maybe, however, I am wrong about what you are using.
Tbg, I totally agree with you that a regular quality pot brings much better results compared to tiny devices.

Not sure if this will make any sense to you, but the attenuator in the DSD-S is a hybrid one and controlled by "tiny devices" too. However, the sound quality achieved has been tested against quality pots to make sure there is no loss of a sound quality.

Sorry, I cannot elaborate further, but thought you'd be happy to hear that the DSD-S hybrid attenuator does not sacrifice the superb audio quality of a good pot, step attenuator or a TVC.

Hope this explains it, at least to some point.

Best,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
Matt is still searching: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1407182972&read&3&zzlKetcham&&

I don't blame him. Sounds like an engineering tour de force.
His search will NEVER end! Seems Matt is more interested in equipment than muzic.