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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
 
especially the hybrid designs that have 6 bits in depth.



That's right, the last great full 24bit R2R chip was the PCM1704 and is unobtainable now because of massive manufacturing costs, having to laser trim those resistors. 

The competition to them is now coming from these newer hybrid dacs with 6 or so bits, a lot of the top end guys are using them, maybe one day they'll be able to make full 24bit again like the PCM1704 as cheap as the the DS from ESS and others, and we'll get back to proper conversion of PCM again, instead of a facsimile of it with DS.

Cheers George      
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
Look at Steve and others who can and will use any tech if they feel it can be done right.

He can't go 24bit multibit converters as there are none made for him to buy, so he has to go DS or get the newer hybrids as shadorne bought up.

He uses Analog Devices Delta Sigma chips and one of his quote was
"we can select the digital filter with this chip, we can essentially make this Delta-Sigma sound a lot like a NOS R2R DAC"
"Because we can select the digital filter with this chip, we can essentially make this Delta-Sigma sound a lot like a NOS R2R DAC, but also supporting hi-res files"



Cheers George



ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,104 posts
 
Thanks for the info George. I'll still let my ears make the choice for me like most do.  Both can sound great and that's all that matters.  There is no one is better than the other right now.  Good DAC's on both sides of the isle as has been pointed out by Matt and many others of us who have or still do own both types.  
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
4,966 posts
 
Honestly he lost me again when he said something about Schitt beimg an expensive discrete.....::::

BTW ct, Have to correct you here as well, I didn’t say that read again.
  
Expensive was in reference to "discrete" R2R dacs
  
And "chip" versions which if you know are cheaper, which Schiit Yaggy uses, and the best bang for buck you can get, for converting PCM Redbook.

Cheers George
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

maybe one day they'll be able to make full 24bit again like the PCM1704 as cheap as the the DS from ESS and others, and we'll get back to proper conversion of PCM again, instead of a facsimile of it....

This is exactly the chip I used in my Spoiler TubeDAC.  Sounded really lifelike, but the Overdrive SE and SX using D-S left it in the dust for weight, detail and dynamics.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

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