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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
 
Streaming might be viable if I were just casually listening and not collecting on top of it. Additionally, not all types of music - especially live recordings - are available to stream.

Why do you believe that Ethernet renderers = streaming? 

I don't do any streaming at all and I use an Ethernet renderer: my Ethernet DAC the ODSX or my Interchange Ethernet renderer.  I play only my .wav files that are from CD rips and downloads from HDTracks. Everything is stored on a Raid1 and played from there.  I can use Jriver, Twonky or Linn Kinsky for playback.

It's the best sound quality I have ever had, and I've designed 6 generations of USB interfaces as well, Off-Ramp -> Off-Ramp 6.  Here is an apples to apples comparison, measurements and listening tests:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=155232.0

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
Why do you believe that Ethernet renderers = streaming?
Hi Steve.

If I'm mistaken here (and you're saying that I am) then I appreciate your pointing it out.

My DAC (Yggdrasil) does not support Ethernet in, and I'm in no hurry to get another one. 

But would I be correct in saying that your wav files that are from CD rips  and downloads from HDTracks, that you are storing on Raid1 still has a cost of the storage device itself? And, is the cost of the storage more or less than $200 for 8 (eight) TB (terabytes), which is my cost for a western digital drive. And, aren't you using at least twice the storage space you would otherwise use if you stored as flac?

Perhaps your configuration is capable of the best quality, and it that case I'll have to be content with less than best. 

That said, I'm curious if you are able to listen via "blind testing" and conclude the same results as your measurement data?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
My DAC (Yggdrasil) does not support Ethernet in, and I’m in no hurry to get another one.

you don’t have to get another one. An external renderer like the Interchange goes Ethernet to S/PDIF, AES/UBU, SE I2S and HDMI I2S.

But would I be correct in saying that your wav files that are from CD rips and downloads from HDTracks, that you are storing on Raid1 still has a cost of the storage device itself?

Sure. I have a Terabyte and it’s enough for me. The RAID insures that I will never lose any music.  It delivers low-latency because it's attached.

And, is the cost of the storage more or less than $200 for 8 (eight) TB (terabytes), which is my cost for a western digital drive.

Yes, but RAID has 3 drives, so you have 3 copies at all times.

And, aren’t you using at least twice the storage space you would otherwise use if you stored as flac?

Yes. Not a problem for me. It’s worth it for the sound quality. That is what I sell, that is what I want for myself.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
I’m curious if you are able to listen via "blind testing" and conclude the same results as your measurement data?

I didn’t bother with that in this case. I am a trained listener and do this every single day, listening for changes, problems, nuances. Been doing that for 42 years. I don’t doubt my conclusions. I made business decisions based on them.

You are welcome to doubt them if you want. It’s still a free country, at least last time I checked CNN.

Steve N

Empirical Audio

gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
I didn’t bother with that in this case. I am a trained listener and do this every single day, listening for changes, problems, nuances. Been doing that for 42 years. I don’t doubt my conclusions. I made business decisions based on them.

You are welcome to doubt them if you want. It’s still a free country, at least last time I checked CNN.

Hi Steve. I’m not doubting you at all. As I stated, I was just curious if you could blind test. I'll take your response as a "no". Given everything I’ve read from you over the years on the forum, invariably you have all the answers and the "best-of-the-best" gear and technology at play. Happy listening.
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