Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Matt, I agree with your sentiment. Analog (particularly master tape) has a dynamic ease that is hard to beat. A lot of digital just sounds strained and pixelated by comparison.

I am a Lampizator owner and was one of the dissenting opinions on a Whatsbestforum thread on Lampis and turntables. That being said, I recently upgraded to the Golden Gate dac and am no longer dreaming of tables. It is the closest I have heard or owned to a TT. HOWEVER, I do not own a TT and so a side by side comparison has not been done....

Guys, I've been at a couple of high end stores and we listened to the same music on a couple of the ref digital products along side TT/cart combos under 5k (the digital stuff started around 15000 just for the DAC. It wasn't even close. Digital does some amazing things if you can spend enough. You just used the word ease ....that's exactly what it is. Same with live music, You just ease into it. Even listening to live rock that is usually processed and played way too loud, it's still fairly easy to listen to.
I have the OSDE/SE and hope to hear the SX when Steve comes out with it, but it's hard to think digital will beat analog anytime soon. JMHO

I suggest that much dissatisfaction with digital ( and I'm not saying analog may not be better) is with the front ends folks use.. I'm convinced that a Mac Mini, or an old cd player as transport just doesn't get it. I recently switched to the relatively inexpensive Aurender N100H and the difference between that and an Auralic Aries is shocking. I think that anyone who's trying to do a state or edge of the art digital front end needs to at least consider where the digits are coming from. Comparing a really good TT setup with a really good cartridge to a OK digital setup isn't really fair. To Matt I'd say you really need to get an Aurender to listen to. Mac Mini is ok but nowhere near cutting edge, not close. The Audender W20 would be the one but theres the new N10 or even an N100H would work.. I think you'll be very surprised..

I spoke with the guys at Aurender at THE Newport show and every one of them said the new N10 is actually better then their older top tier W20....

I'm still working on speakers and room treatments. I'll start trying a few music servers when I hit that point. But I have to say I have spoken to several (read many many) guys at the shows and most said that their computer sounded as good or better then the Aurender, Antipodes, Etc that they compared them with. I reserve judgement for my own ears when the opportunity comes.

I'm not surprised that "Guys" have said their computer is as good or better.. What are they going to say :-)

Bob V. is now an Aurender dealer.. I'm sure he'll hook you up.. And I wouldn't be surprised if the new N10 sounds better.. The Aurender guys are pretty on the ball..