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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
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 

I have found Ricevs, with current output R2R ladder dacs, very important is the I/V stage and it has to be done active without feedback, and have posted my experiments and findings here.

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/227677-using-ad844-i-v.html

AD1855 is a true R2R Ladder Multibit dac.

From Analogue Devices.
"The 18-bit D/A converters use a combination of segmented decoder
and R-2R architecture to achieve consistent linearity and
differential linearity. The resistors which form the ladder structure
are fabricated with silicon chromium thin film. Laser trimming
of these resistors further reduces linearity errors resulting
in low output distortion."

Cheers George
agear
1,353 posts
 
10-24-15: Ricevs
The AD1955 is $7.00.....sounds cheap to me....I quess you don't like the word Cheap? How about inexpensive?....less offensive? I did not say the Berkeley Ref or any expensive DAC is cheap....just talking about the DAC chip.....it is cheap. cheep cheep went the bird...he he.

Priceless. When you pop the top on a lot of this stuff, and do the math, it can be a little disconcerting.....:/
agear
1,353 posts
 
10-24-15: Ricevs

A couple of years ago Martin Colloms raved about the $100,000+ Audionote DAC that uses the obsolete 18 bit AD1865 DAC chip.....no digital filter at all. Says it can compete with vinyl playing CDs! I notice that Border Patrol has just released a $10,000 DAC using the same chip with tubes on the output.

That is where its at IMO. Need Lucas at Lampizator to implement that for PCM duty.....:)
mattnshilp OP
894 posts
 
I think we all agree that It's all about the design and implementation. Not the cost of parts. I used to own an Ariel Atom. It was a steel frame and a "cheap" supercharged Chevy Ecotec engine. Cheap parts all around. But it did 0-60 in 2.7 seconds and cornered better then any Ferrari or McLaren I have ever driven. Talk about instant smile. Maker!!!

We are lucky to have so many brilliant designers and so many different ways to skin the proverbial DAC cat. Tastes vary, deigns vary, ears vary and rooms vary. It's all vary exciting!! ;)
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
LOl, well said Matt. In the end, all that matters is the sound to the listener and how the product fits into the audiophile's system for synergy.
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