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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
gstewtoo
6 posts
 
Actually, some Japanese audiophiles did something in the same vein with bright lights and solar panels... discussed here:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-source/142562-microsd-memory-card-transport-project-13.html#post3569285

Greg in Mississippi
ketcham
83 posts
 
Matt. If you could arrange a lampizator seven, ModWright's Elyse tube dac alone with the allnic, this would give readers a good base comparison regarding tube dacs to empirical.
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
913 posts
 
There is a barely new Esoteric K-01X on auction at Audiogon now. Current bid is 10k but below reserve price. May be an opportunity to get this on the "cheap".
whitewind
23 posts
 
Trinity DAC

Any thoughts?

I have recently had a chance to compare the Trinity DAC to the Vivaldi stack in friend's system. To our surprise we both prefered the Trinity DAC, which had a better PRaT, overall sounded more transparent and - for lack of a better word - less processed.

He is complementing selling his Vivaldi and getting the Trinity DAC instead. The problem is the Trinity transport is not as robust as the Vivaldi transport (the Trinity PC Drive is basicly a computer in a matching case) so he may end up keeping the Vivaldi transport.

I read the Trinity sounds even better via the USB, but we didn't have a chance to try this input.
jon2020's avatar
jon2020
913 posts
 
Whitewind,
Trinity vs Vivaldi - this is absolute top tier stuff. Please tell us more about the comparison setting - preamp or no preamp, power amp, speakers, etc.
Thanks in advance. J.
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