Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

I have a small but strong list of front runners. I am also considering alternative options in the form of monitors with subs as needed. I have some great stuff coming in to help me learn which way to go. Varied and very different designs.

I was impressed by the technical prowess of the Vandy 7 and the low frequency extension was literally like nothing k have ever heard before. I failed to connect with them at the showroom to be honest. I would elect to bring my Veritas amps and use a tubed Audio Research pre-amp if/when I go back. I told John I will call him in a month. He was very nice and not pushy at all......

Matt if the room is that hot why not just pipe some AC in there if your room is in the basement it should'nt be a big deal?

Priorities, my dear Erik. First I must focus on getting it to sound good. I must not allow myself to be distracted by such an unimportant thing as comfort when proper acoustics are still unsorted. :)

Seriously though, the fan is pretty effective and practically silent. It's one if those tall thin turbine type and moves a lot of air with very little noise. Eventually I'll address it head on, but it would either require I run hvac from the main system or put in a separate silent unit (which I don't really have a good place for). If I link into the main system I have no isolated control for that room. For now, I'm satisfied with the fan.

Matt, what about the Dyson bladeless fans?

Now I see why you fear tube gear...too hot for the musical dungeon? LoL

We are in total agreement about meeting audio buddies. So much fun...at least 50% of the joy in this hobby.

Dyson fan was actually louder then the one I bought. Picture this:

Middle of Bed, Bath and Beyond with people staring at me. Shut off all the fans first to listen to which was quietest, then eventually pulled the one I bought and the Dyson out and found the quietest spot in the store with outlets accessible. Pulled out my trusty spl meter and fan both fans at high, medium and low. The Dyson was louder and more importantly, louder at a higher frequency so way more audible. The one I bought was quieter at all 3 speeds and its tone was much lower and thus easier to mask with normal music playing. I almost bought both to do frequency sweeps on them at home, but I realized how insane that truly was....

And, the Dyson doesn't move nearly the air that the other turbine type do. So it was moving more air, at a lower frequency and more quietly. So I bought it.

It's certainly not silent, but on low speed with music playing at reasonable volumes I can't hear it. Of course, it's killing my noise floor. But until I figure out an AC solution it's fine. Especially for $65- compared to the Dyson at like $300-