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 sounds like a plan. I'm sure that you can get a satisfactory sound from the room. Those darn nodes are hard to fix and no room is perfect. All the best.
Interest information!

Why Multiple Subs?
I want to start my posts with a lengthy discussion on the use of multiple subs, first why they should be
used,  and then how they are setup.
First I think it a good idea to go over some history behind the concepts.  I will start by going all the way
back to my PhD thesis (30 years ago), which was on this precise topic.  At that time I was studying the LF
(low frequency) sampling statistics in small rooms and how these were affected by the rooms shape.  
This is important question in sound measurement because it tells us how many points (samples) we
need in  a reverberant room to find the true source sound power given that each point has variations of
the desired quantity due to the non‐diffuse nature of the sound field at LFs in small rooms.

http://gedlee.azurewebsites.net/Papers/multiple%20subs.pdf
What are your thoughts on speakers who integrate powered subs below 100hz so you can dial in the bass after you set the speakers up to sound their best for the mids on up? Personally, I've never heard separate subs integrate fully with monitors and I have always LOVED monitors. I personally have liked some of the speakers that integrate them and voice the amps to take on the sound of the main amps someone is using in their system.
No. If I were to do subs, I'd do the matching Vandy subs as they are set up to work properly with the Treo's. I hate to say it, but I've never heard a sub integrate properly. I know so many swear by their usage and I'm sure that there are plenty of you who have them set up perfectly. I've just yet to hear it. I also feel that the majority of dealers really don't know HOW to set up a room. I know that even the top dealers will often have problems setting up their rooms because folks come in all the time and touch stuff and actually move things. I've seen customers in a very high end boutique start to tip speakers to see their spikes or something. They don't realize that will throw off everything. Winson, please share more about the subs.