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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
aplhifi-usa
38 posts
 
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!!!

The one that requires a driver for MAC because it is based on the older Cypress Semiconductor chip?

Maybe when he offers XMOS based USB interface that supports 32 bit integer mode, up to 384kHz/32bit PCM as well as DSD64 and double DSD128 I'd consider joining ALL manufactures and use it in my products as a standard USB input.

Wait, but I already have it! :-)

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
aplhifi-usa
38 posts
 
Guido,

USB and S/PDIF are quite different interfaces. Though the TAS USB chip in the Aeris supports only up to 96k, I believe it also supports asynchronous mode. However, it looks like both S/PDIF and USB are being asynchronously resampled using the AD1895A ASRC chip. So maybe the USB chip is the problem, or the computer audio source used for the comparison was inferior to the S/PDIF source.
So it is tricky. :-)

Sure, I will let Matt stabilize it and then decide, no problem. But most interesting will be what will happen when the DSD-S is connected direct to the amplifiers.

Saluti,
Alex
aplhifi-usa
38 posts
 
Steve,

My digital products have been featuring custom proprietary 32 bit XMOS interfaces for almost 2 years now.

PCM, PCM and DSD, and DSD only versions are available.

The DSD-S has the XMOS inside, and features the so called "Femto Clocks" too.

Welcome on board, I am happy for you!

Best,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Hi Alex, in Aeris, jitter removal is executed in an FPGA rather than inside the DAC.

BTW, my own system has the opposite limitation of Matt's... only supported digital out from my battle-hardened X-01 seems to be SPDIF.

Cari saluti, G.
agear
1,353 posts
 
some rather acidic commentary over on the Asylum regarding this thread. A thread about a thread! Now that's notoriety!

"Ultimate DAC shootout on Audiogon"
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