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
Lol - Dark matter? Try Brian May lead guitarist of Queen / he is actually an astrophysicist! I know almost nothing about that. I did read Stephen Hawkings original Black Hole Radiation paper when in high school but never pursued that side of Physics as fascinating as it is - I must have read that in the days when Scientific American was actually Scientific - it has now devoted into populist Cult Cargo science as Feynman would say if he was still alive.
Hi everyone. Sorry to go off topic to the off topic topic that’s currently the topic, until we get to the main topic. lol. 

I FINALLY did it!!!!

i started my YouTube channel. For anyone who has wanted to see my room and listen to be rattle on about my thoughts, origins, journey and all while staring at my system and listening to it through your speakers, this is your chance!

Please subscribe and tell any of your audio friends to check it out and subscribe. They will only be 5-15 minutes, so quick to watch and hopefully riveting!!

post comments to ask questions and make suggestions!

thanks!

https://youtu.be/EGnGh7EUsjY

Matt - You are off to a good start.  One thing though.  The audio level on the YouTube video is a bit low.  I have to put my volume slider to the max to hear it well.

You definitely have the right kind of diffusors behind the speakers.  I would be interested in how these speakers work and what all those drivers are.  Also, I would expect more rugs on a hard floor like that.  It must be very live.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

post comments to ask questions and make suggestions!
Nice room! 

The audio level on the YouTube video is a bit low.

I find the audio level to be fine. The opposite of Steve, meaning I could lower the volume (on a laptop PC with internal speakers) mid way and it's still fine.