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
Mitch2, sounds very promising! I currently run the Bricasti M1 DAC and would be curious how the LaScala would compare. From your description I would suspect that the M1 may have better defined bass, but the midrange of the LaScala as you describe it sounds very seductive. I look forward to your further comments, thanks again and enjoy it!
OK, I finally heard the Regen with Corning cable on my B7 and can say that my experience mimics this post at CompAudiophile.

DSD128 was already amazing has gone up a notch. Absolutely incredible.Ridiculous!
==================
Originally Posted by EuroDriver

It took only 10 seconds for our jaws to drop. We thought the SQ was superb before putting the Regen in, but the Regen's effect was even greater than our high expectations. It's one of those cases where you have to hear it to believe it

The difference the Regen made was about 1.5 times the SQ difference of going from DSD128 to DSD 256 on the Exasound with HQP doing PCM to DSD. The Lampi b7 that Geoff received last wheel seems only to go up to DSD128, but with the Regen I am hearing details, realism, texture, and fine timbre that I simply did not believe existed on well known tracks.

IMHO, the Regen and the Corning USB compliment each other very nicely, their sonic effects being different and beneficially additive.

Next week at Munich High End we will be using the Regen ( powered by my JS-2) and seeing if anyone can catch us in sound quality ;-)

May be the hype helped, but Regen is certainly one of the biggest hardware SQ upgrades I have heard in a long long time.

Hats off to John and Alex for coming up with a USB sound quality game changer for the Lampi B7. Next week we will try Regen with the Exa E22, and with an Antelope Zodiac Platinum

downstream from the Lampi were Audiopax pre, Audiopax mono blocs, and Avantgarde Duo Omegas​
I was very impressed by the Bricasti M1 at Axpona. Merrill (of Merrill Audio) has arranged a loaner and he will be brining one over mid June. I'll report my findings. That LaScala sounds lovely. Enjoy it!

Regarding the Regen. I'm not sure it would make much difference on my ODSE. I'm checking on their site to see if it has a money back guarantee. It's not expensive, but still.... I'd welcome inout from Steve on that as well, although he usually takes a summer hiatus. Not sure if he's around...
Just purchased the Bricasti. Can't imagine meaningfully better performance. Went from a JRDG Aeris which too was very good but actually a little over detailed(bright) for my tastes. I had not expected that. It's still a great unit though. Bricasti just a bit warmer with less etch. Very musical.