Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Audiolabyrinth, Can I call you Al? lol

Favorite signal tubes to chose other than a 12AX7 or 12AU7? Maybe a 6SU7 and of course, 6SN7.

And I do like the 6H30 depending on how it is used :) But yes, for the most part, I agree with you. Want to hear a 6H30 done right? Check out a NOS Valves NBS Preamplifier.

I'll also mention that some of the signal transformers are getting very damn good. Replace your linestage with a high quality TVC, and forget about the tubes for preamp duty altogether.

Matt,

I followed Steve Nugent's lead and purchased a Plasmatron from VH Audio. I recommend the 3A over the 6A since you are only running digital sources.

Regardless of which you feel is best for your system, this will take it a leap forward towards your objective.

AudioL

5751 RCA black plates and Kevin Deal hand selected cryo treated Gold Loin, gold pin tubes. Both sound very good. Little less gain with the 5751, but that is a good thing for me.

Ketcham - cool. It's not in the budget right now, but I'll definitely reconsider it later. Thanks.

Hi all, sorry for the hiatus. Been crazy at work. Looks like everyone has been keeping themselves occupied here.

I've been working on my dedicated audio room design and have been auditioning some new amps to see how much better amps can get then my already incredible Merrill Veritas monoblocks. I have been ecstatic with the ODSE and have settling into my decision with conviction. With that said, I have Alex's modified DSD-S here and will finally have time tomorrow morning to give it a solid listen. I'll post results on Saturday. Steve is also working on both an upgrade for his ODSE as well as a higher level Overdrive, the Overdrive SX. When it's ready I will get a demo in and compare the two. Can't wait for that!!! For those interested, the SX will be DSD compatible.

For those going, I will be at the NY Audio show in Brooklyn tomorrow from 2-8pm. I'll have my iPhone on me to check, so if anyone is going then post on this thread and maybe we can hook up..

I with I had time to go to Rocky Mountain AF. That sounds like the one to go to!

Oh. The K-01 is done with the first set of settings burned in, and I'm doing the second set right now. That will be done 10/15 and then I'll be able to really give it a solid listen. At some point I need to hook my computer to the K-01 and try it as a DAC; but I have read several times, in several places, that the USB input on the K-01 is mediocre (compared to dedicated USB to spdif converters) and really limits the DAC's use with USB computer output.