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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's avatar
ctsooner
2,104 posts
 
Steve, thanks so much for sharing that info. I greatly appreciate it.  So you are working on a network streamer?  Wow, that would be pretty awesome.  I'm sure you have no time frame, but IF you did one, would it have a ripper built in?  Would it work with a NAS?  Just curious.  I do hope that Meridian works with everyone on MQA.  Digital has too many smaller manufacturers and needs to have lower cost things in order for it to thrive.  I know that Onkyo/Pioneer have MQA in their new DAP's.  Can't wait for Tidal to stream it.  They said that the more components that are using it, the better it will sound.  That didn't make sense to me, other than the marketing part of it.  Is there a price point for the streamer?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

This network streamer is only a renderer.  It uses another computer or ipad etc. to drive the music to it over the internet.  I was told to call it a streamer, but I think this might cause confusion.

The pricepoint for the Interchange is $2600-2800 with the Dynamo power supply.  The supply alone is almost $800.


Steve N.

Empirical Audio

kyomi_audio's avatar
kyomi_audio
59 posts
 
We have the first Chord Dave DAC In North America for evaluation. All we can say that it is absolutely stunning and easily compares to 100K systems by Esoteric and DCS. Lots of DACs nows day are optimized for DSD playback but they aren't as great for redbook. This Dave sounds better then the best R2R 16 bit non over sampling redbook DACs while being capable of handling every Hi Rez format in existence. 

Dealer disclosure. 




mattnshilp OP
894 posts
 
What’s the US retail on the DAVE?

(that just sounds so stupid. What a silly name. Lol)
bill_k
671 posts
 
On the distributor's website it shows the DAVE's US retail is $16,000, but I recall reading that it's ~$13,500 without the machined base.
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