Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Matt,

I've auditioned the Synergistic Research Tesla D2 coaxial digital cable and was impressed. Some say the D3 is even better. Link here:

Synergistic Tesla Digital Cables

Also, please note that the DSD-S (as many other DACs) has RCA type connectors for the digital S/PDIF inputs using the WBT NextGen that are 75 Ohms too. This was chosen after experimenting with various BNC connectors. So maybe it will be better to get a BNC to RCA cable that will give you a better flexibility.

Looks like the Cable Company has a Tesla D2 with BNC to RCA.

Link here (scroll to the bottom - Digital Cables): Tesla D2 BNC to RCA digital cable

Best,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi

08-31-14: Aplhifi-usa
Matt,

DSD-S will come back to you with its output stage biased with twice higher current compared to what it was before.

Also now it has Zero oversampling for PCM, compared to 8x oversampling earlier.

This made a good difference during experiments using all-solid state amplification here, so I've decided to see if you will hear it as an improvement in your system, or not. :-)

Best,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi

Alex, you have a name for yourself modding transports like the Esoteric. What would be needed to bring it up to snuff, and similarly, would could or should Matt do to bring his Mini up to snuff?

08-31-14: Mattnshilp
Erikminer - thank you for spending more of my money. Something I didn't need any help with... Lol.

I will look into the Aurilic. Does it pull files out of my iTunes folder or do I need a separate designated folder?

Erik strikes me as an instigator and one who enjoys making waves....

It does not pull from iTunes. You either use a NAS or install something like Minimserver (free) on your Mac to communicate with the Aries. Easy breezy. Being lazy, I chose the later.....

Mac Mini needs several optimizations:

1) External DC linear power supply
2) SSD rather than HD
3) use the 5th USB port from the edge and nothing in the other ports
4) Make these changes to the OS: "Audio Optimization Guides" found in iTunes iBooks

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Alex, you have a name for yourself modding transports like the Esoteric. What would be needed to bring it up to snuff, and similarly, would could or should Matt do to bring his Mini up to snuff?

Agear, those are tricky questions, especially not knowing the audio system synergy in question.

From experience with older Esoteric units, there are some clocking upgrades needed, as well as digital signal path and digital output circuit redesigns. Power supply upgrades might be helpful too.

The MacMini (especially the later ones) are not very desirable for audio server, at least from what I know. The early examples with Core 2 Duo processor had a dedicated graphics card, while the new ones feature the Intel graphics built into the processor. I have experimented and, in my opinion, when the graphics module inside the processor is used, it takes from the memory and contaminates it (because it uses/shares the same memory controller). Best to me will be an Intel quad-core processor without built-in graphics, and that is what I have as a reference in my audio system.

Also, a MacMini, even with a linear power supply is a very similar solution to a MacBook Pro. Some actually may prefer the latter as it runs on a battery power. However, in both cases the multiple charge pumps (switching power supplies) on the mother board supplying everything remain intact, resulting in somewhat mechanical and lean audio quality, at least to my ears. I personally prefer linear power supplies.

Hope this explains it.

Best,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi