2. digital
  3. 1398132150

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
38 posts
 
Audiolabyrinth,

Sorry about the confusion!

Initially you've asked if DSD-S sounds better direct to amplifiers.

What I tried explaining is that, it is not a feature of the DSD-S to sound better when connected to amplifiers. It sounds as it does regardless of where it is connected.

But with its output stage and built-in attenuator, the DSD-S is perfectly capable of eliminating any preamplifier, except if you need the additional analog inputs (or phono stage built-in), or you like the added coloration/noise/distortions of the preamplifier.

Bottom line, if you have only digital sources, you don't really need a preamplifier with the DSD-S. This will result in purer audio signal path that may be beneficial for many audio systems.

Hope this explains it better. :-)

Best,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
tbg
5,263 posts
 
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.
aplhifi-usa
38 posts
 
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
usermanual
104 posts
 
Anyone listen to the new Berkeley DAC?
agear
1,353 posts
 
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.
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