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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
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
2,651 posts
 
Tbg,
I didn't state it clearly. What I meant was that I wouldn't have expected it to be used as a primary source since so many don't use transports anymore, although I do.
Sorry for the confusion.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,483 posts
 
Matt, I understand your position, This is about what's best for you, I also understand you are not willing to spend the money for quality cables, A usb cable, no matter the cost is just inferior, and you are correct, A usb cable will not cost thousands of dollars, what I am saying though, Is you will NEVER achieve getting all the sound from the dac you can retrieve using any usb cable or DNLA, can you imagine all the cable companys that would go out of bussiness if a usb cable could out perform a world class spdif cable or analog interconnect?, I have enjoyed your thread, I appriciate what you have done here for all of us, Thankyou
abruce's avatar
abruce
233 posts
 
Matt
What if the DSD is better than the Dac you purchased?
aplhifi-usa
38 posts
 
Steve, as we both know, S/PDIF is a very jittery interface when it comes to a Master Clock recovery. Synchronous or asynchronous re-clocking techniques have been long ago implemented to remedy the issue. So yes, S/PDIF can sound really good too.

Guido, the TAS1020 used as an USB interface inside the Aeris is an older chip that cannot process more than 96kHz PCM rates. So maybe this is the reason they prefer S/PDIF connection.

When it comes to DSD-S break-in, I have sent one that had at least 700 hours to a customer in Canada. He claims that it continues to improve. :-)

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
aplhifi-usa
38 posts
 
The other interesting part, if I may add, is that Aeris and ODSE probably use the same Analog Devices DAC chip - the AD1853, except if Steve hasn't gone for the flagship AD1955, but those are the two choices for the ODSE. :-)

So it would have been indeed interesting trying the Aeris with a modern USB to S/PDIF interface, though I personally believe that it still will not be up to the ODSE, IMO of course.

Best,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
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