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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
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

geoffkait - you got it, however, I would start by selling the CD transport and look for a good computer audio source.  Too much mucking constantly with CD's, besides you end up listening to tracks that you don't want to hear, and only 10 or 12 of them.

Then, of course, you have servers or playback software and digital cabling and Ethernet cabling and isolators and LPS for this and that, and then there is format....

I don't consider these tweaks, but they are essential to getting the best sound from a computer source.

There is one tweak that I actually use:

Plasmatron from VHAudio.  Highly recommended AC regulator.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Willemj - I’m trying my Hifi-Man phones with my iPhone 6S today!!

The one thing that I’m leery of is using that much digital volume control.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

mattnshilp OP
894 posts
 
Steve, the newer Antipodes is excellent but was not the equal of the Aurender N10. I did not run it with any upsampling, which is supposedly it’s best source mechanism. But it requires a computer which defeats the purpose (to me) of a solo server. And it was highly quirky software wise compared with the “it just works” N10. The Aurender products are just SO good!!!
mattnshilp OP
894 posts
 
Steve - I have conspired several dap’s and several portable DAC’s. The Chord Hugo 2 is REALLY good for portable use!!! My iPhone with the Hugo2 and Kennerton Odin’s makes a world class portable audio experience!!!!

if interested, I did a comparison of 67 headphones on Head-Fi. It’s a good read. It also includes several portable DAC’s. 👍🏻

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/65-headphones-7-dac-amps-1-persons-opinion-oh-my.854984/page-4
mattnshilp OP
894 posts
 
Larry:

Hanz Zimmer - Absurdity
Hanz Zimmer - Mombassa
Saint Sean - Danse Macabre
LadySmith - People Get Ready
Yes - Leave It
Stimela - Coal Train
Natalie Mechant - The Peppery Man
Aaron Neville - Everybody Plays the Fool
Dance of the Tumblers
Michael Buble - Today is Yesterday’s Tomorrow
Pictures at an Exhibiiton

there are other classical, jazz and rock tracks I use. But those are the primary tracks that I know REALLY well. 

Its actually a GREAT question!!

Lets all post our top 3 tracks we use when auditioning gear!!!! 
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