Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Hey Matt, I appreciate what you have done, and have read all as time has passed.

The USB input for any of these DAC's is the factor that determines the final outcome, using your source. This is obvious. I believe all the DAC's you have tried here are fully capable of being transparent. There are all too many DAC's out there that do not get the USB input right. Even DAC's that cost over $10K.

Being that PC or MAC is likely the main source for the masses, I feel you are exposing this shortcoming in these DAC's, and these companies need to get with it. Not that you are, but don't get discouraged by the few posters here that have not made the move to computer audio sources. They also need to get with it IMO.

Another REALLY great DAC with a remarkable USB input is the Auralic Vega. It is not the newest on the block, and the snobs here will have their opinions of that it is not in the same class.... But they really did get the USB input right on this DAC. Not to mention the DAC itself is just wonderful. I've compared this DAC to many DAC's. MANY! I feel that it would compete and likely beat many you have tried here. Says allot about this company being this would be the cheapest one you have yet tried. The only shortcoming with the Vega are the RCA outputs. They are not using the same discrete output that the balanced outputs are, and the difference here is not subtle. You are balanced so no worries. I urge you to try this DAC, just so you can see what is possible with a $3500 DAC done right.

Agreed.

I propose that ALL manufacturers establish the Off Ramp 5 (or whatever Steve's latest and greatest USB converter is) as their USB input processing of choice so that this is no longer an issue!!!

I am sure Steve would agree.

:)

You are correct Alex, Aeris does not support bit rates greater than 96K under USB input... However, It has been reported to me that Aeris is preferable with SPDIF input over USB for material that is supported by both input protocols... On the other hand, my X-01 seems to have only SPDIF output, so I cannot verify the assertion in my own system.

I am not surprised that break-in time for your DSD might exceed 700 hours... I have observed the same with Aeris... I hope that Matt will be able to afford enough break-in time to stabilize DSD completely.... And then assess his preferences against OD, and... Aeris... Unless Aeris has been sold by then *Sighs!*.

G.

Question for we lay people....why would breakin of any DAc be more than 200 hours? I've spoken to many manufacturers as well as engineers and have been told that the biggest thing to break in are the capacitors and that even with the amount of silver used etc...they shouldn't need more than 200 hours to break in.

Are these folks mislead? Thanks.

"Steve, as we both know, S/PDIF is a very jittery interface when it comes to a Master Clock recovery."

Alex - That used to be the case, but with the latest receiver chips, good transformers, good circuit design/layout and a good 75 ohm cable, it is just as transparent as a good USB interface. I am using right now my prototype Off-Ramp 6 XMOS interface driving my DAC with S/PDIF coax and its the best digital I have ever heard. Beats everything I have done previously. It matches my I2S for performance too.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio