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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
paul79
163 posts
 
The DX should come around nicely. It, along with the Totaldac Server, are the only 2 that I have heard where it doesn't matter if you play Flac or WAV.. It all sounds the same. EXCELLENT! This is processing power at its finest. There is a warm up (for a day or so) involved with this stuff, so I believe tomorrow will be a new day with the DX.

You should also try the Antipodes Reference Cabling. That is what I use here, and I haven't beat it yet. Mr Jenkins has some good ears man.

Paul
abedirov's avatar
abedirov
22 posts
 
Matt, one last point about DX. It has 2 USB ports for audio: one is with 5v on and another one is with 5v off. Some DACs do not need power signal to be fed through USB and in this case you can use the 5v off port, which should sound better. You need to experiment.
musicmann1
21 posts
 
Didn't realize the DYNA AUDIO CONSEQUENCE ULTIMATE was 95k MSRP (the EVIDENSE PLATINUMS are 85k MSRP). At any rate I am sure its a superb speaker. You probably just need to play with room placement a little more.

Cheers........
musicmann1
21 posts
 
Another speaker you might want to consider is the KARMA ELEGANCE DB 11 S, 55K MSRP, I believe. Reasonably efficient and is supposed to be a very wide band speaker with a full, rich mid band. I believe the port comes out the bottom, although not sure on this. There is a new review in the latest ABSOLUTE SOUND.

Cheers.......
mattnshilp OP
894 posts
 
MusicMann - I was under the impression that the Evidence was $60k. The Consequence are $70k retail. I stand corrected. But I was not blown away with the Evidence and I heard it twice.

And the Kharma Exquisite speaker line is exceptional but rear ported and thus not a good choice for my room. The Midi Exquisite blew me away, but just wouldn't work for me.

I may end up admitting that the CU doesn't work for me after burn in and all. I have had many exceptional speakers in my room with my current gear and have never experienced a shout before. Which tells me that, logically, it's got to be the speaker. But I don't want to believe that.

I'm going to hook up the Isis speakers today and I'll let yo know my impressions.

I'm also going to bring the CU out into my open basement area and try them there to see if there is still a shout.
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