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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
agear
1,353 posts
 
What is the price tag of the Aeris and does it do DSD?

Matt, has your bias shifted towards SS sonics occurred for any particular reason? There is an ocean of difference between Tenor and SS class D.

The real problem with with your current paradigm is you cannot "know" a piece until you live with it for an extended period of time. Things that sound spectacular on first blush often end up in the recycle bin. Ideally, you would have all these dacs on loan for a much longer duration. For that reason, I will circle back in a year and see what dac you own. It may not be the one that "wins" the shootout...:/
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,483 posts
 
Hi Matt, Thankyou for the up-date, Bring on more!
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Hi Agear, Rowland Aeris (including external power supply) lists in the US for $9800. World wide dealers are found at:

http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/us/distribution-3.html

Input protocols as follows:

1x USB — accepts up to 24 bit PCM at 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz sample rates

1x Toslink — accepts up to 24 bit PCM from 11 - 192 kHz sample rates

2x SPDIF — accepts up to 24 bit PCM from 11 - 192 kHz sample rates

Regarding Tenor and class D.... Thankfully, there is a world of difference between the sound of raw ICEpower low-end implementations of old, and the involving musicality yielded by some of the recent implementations of NCore NC1200 like the Merrill Veritas used by Matt. I have not had the opportunity of comparing Veritas with Tenor, but had Veritas in my system for several months, resulting in my more than favorable PFO review:

http://positive-feedback.com/Issue68/merrill_audio.htm

Guido
agear
1,353 posts
 
Thanks for the data Guido. I did not realize that this dac has been out since 2011. Looks as if it uses some older chipsets which is interesting. Like most digital pieces, images of the internals are underwhelming and scorn was heaped on the it by the DIY crowd. The same thing has happened to Lampi.

I have heard various permutations of digital amplification, including ice module-based amps, various parts of the evolution of the Hypex modules, including in Ncore (not the Veritas though) and they're honestly not my cup of tea. I briefly scanned your review, and it looks like you are biased towards digital application given your long-standing relationship with Rowland. Also, it appears as if there's imprinting going on with Matt here given the similarities of your two systems.
joecasey
365 posts
 
From AC, "Red Wine Audio RWA-Z1ES-3 Impressions" thread
Basically the RWA-Z1ES leve 3 is a sensational sounding source. I have had a lot of DAC/Server combo's in the past and this one is my favorite in sound quality and function. For reference I have owned the Bryston combo, The Lampizator Big 6/mac book, modded Mac Mini/RWA Isabella DAC, Mac Mini/Tranquility DAC SE, Wyred4sound server Mytec DAC, PSA Perfect Wave II server/ DAC and some others. To be fair I know my system better now and may have it optimized better at this time to get the most of what the RWA-Z1ES Level 3
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