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
If the room is over pressurized, how does adding more pressure solve the problem? I'd look at taking the room out of the equation, as well as the crossovers. I have not ever heard box speakers sound good in a small room. Matt, try external crossovers - that will really open up your world of choices for time & phase coherent accuracy as you'd be doing it yourself. You need to take control, brother. This will consume you.
Not over-pressurized. Just pressure imbalance.

Don't know. But it's worth a try....

I don't have the fund of knowledge to start tuning my own external crossovers. But thanks for the complement and the idea.

Don't get me wrong guys. My room is awesome. But I have a few issues that, once under control, will really make that last little bit shine. Isn't that what we are all after, the last 1/10 of 1%?
Hmmm, "Fixing" acoustic anomalies by applying subwoofers out of phase to perform destructive low band-pass interference... Fascinating... Sounds like fighting a fire with... Well, fire.

Might work to a point. Yet, I am skeptical about the long term appeal of the end product... Seems a one-way route down an endless audiophrenic rabbit-hole.

G.
06-20-15: Mattnshilp
...he suggested I add a sub to the room connected in series from the amps to speakers (high output terminals). He specifically said not to pull the signal low level from the pre-amp. He said to put the sub behind the listening position in the back of the room to balance the pressure in the room, adjusting the output so its not even audible but enough to offset the main speakers output pressurization.
Matt,

As far as placing a sub in the rear of the room is concerned, it seems worth trying but the concern would be that arrival time differences at the listening position, between the mains and the sub, may compromise coherence unacceptably. And if you set the sub's volume low enough to prevent that, you may find that it is ineffective with respect to its intended purpose.

Also, regarding the reference to "series" connection (which strictly speaking is a misnomer, as from a technical standpoint the sub and mains would be connected in parallel): Assuming the amps are in the front of the room, as you most likely realize it would be best to connect the amps directly to the main speakers, and to run separate connections from either the main speakers or the amp to the sub. Also, as you probably realize, if the sub is a powered one the cables to it would not have to be heavy gauge (even 22 gauge or smaller would work fine) since powered subs have high input impedances (e.g. 10K or more), and hence draw very little current.

Regarding the BagEnd product, if you haven't already seen it you will want to check out Kal Rubinson's review. Also, you may want to look into the Spatial Black Hole. I have no experience with or particular knowledge of either product.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al
The Bagend, Black hole and subwoofer trick (which I forgot to mention he said to try both in and out of phase) all seam to be doing the same sort of thing.

I'll try the sub trick since I have an extra sub around. If that helps, I'll consider the other technologies. I think an acoustic fix like a Helmholtz is still likely the best solution.