My personal favorite SOTA DAC is the Totaldac d1-Twelve mk2 which is the one i will be purchasing next year for my rig.I also do like the Aries Cerat Kassandra Ref II which i auditioned twice.Lampizator Pacific DAC is also worth considering if your looking at top DACs.
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 $$$ DAC's into your house for an audition ain't easy.
Looking for musical, emotional, engaging, accurate , with great dimension. Not looking for analytical and sterile.
Putting together a reference level system.
My Source is predominantly standard 16/44 played from a MacMini using iTunes and Amarra. Some of my music is purchased from iTunes and the rest is ripped from standard CD's.
For my tastes in music, my high def catalogues are still limited; so Redbook 16/44 will be my primary source for quite some time.
I'm not spending DCS or MSB money. But $15-20k retail is not out of the question.
Upsampling vs non-upsampling?
USB input vs SPDIF?
All opinions welcome.
And I know I need to hear them, but getting these ultra $$$ 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.
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- 4405 posts total
Hi Thieliste, No doubt that TotalDac model is true SOTA. Of all the uber tier DACs discussed here and elsewhere I find the Aries Cerat Kassandra extremely compelling. I just love the design concept and approach to this DAC. It just seems like the type of component that is meant to go directly and deep into one’s musical soul and communicate much passion and emotion. In my humble opinion products capable of achieving this are the most desirable. I haven’t heard it but I can appreciate astrostar’s comments. My gut feeling is this DAC is the antithesis of clinical/analytical/sterile lifeless sound. Charles |
How many DACs... First DAC separate was an Audio Alchemy. some little thing for a few hundred. Later I bought new a Adcom DA600 when it came out. And a used Adcom DA700 later on for $250. I kept that DA700 for many years. (and it and the DA600 still in my closet) Tried a $2300 raved on TAS and Stereophile DAC. no better in any way and returned it. Only finally this Summer 2018 I tried a Marantz SA-10 as a DAC to play CDs, and yeah, it is a lot better. So I bought it. Most certainly my last DAC. |
charles1dad I can conform the Kassandra is an amazingly musical device, exceptional in the digital world IMO. If anyone is in Spain, I invite them to come to my place and hear it, you will be amazed! http://www.ariesceratespana.com/ |
@audiolabyrinth4 on 11-05-2018 8:07am "anyone listened to this laufer teknic running direct to amplifier's?" Yes, I do. I replaced a Sonic Frontier Line 3 (fully upgraded) in 2010 with the 2010 MP, which was much better. My 2017 MP64 16-core preamp output was even better than the 2010. I am waiting on delivery of my 2018 MP64 32-core with solid state / tube switchable preamp section. |
- 4405 posts total