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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
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,104 posts
 
Very interesting info you guys share. Thanks. I now have Steve's OSDE that was fully upgraded and I use his USB cable and the short block with the cable. I also use the mac mini server with Steve's big linear power supply. Are you saying this device will help the sound? Sorry, but I am still learning digital. Thanks.
wisnon
700 posts
 
Definittion of PHY here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHY_(chip)

The other point I missed is that they use thick multi-lyares for the Regen board as this helps with SI as well (not sure how, as Swenson does not tell us everything).

Cstooner, I cant answer if Regen will be better than the shortBloc or if a combo would be better tha both together. I have the Aubisque filter and did not notice any improvement when placing that on the end of the generic USB cable before entering the Regen. I THINK I noticed an improvement when using the Corning+Regen, but now I should try the Corning+Aubisque+Regen. A pal uas my iPurifier, so cant try that for the moment.
mattnshilp OP
894 posts
 
CTSooner - I have the short block also and it resides permanently in the system. I just ordered the Regen. I'll post my results here with the short block in and out of the system.
hifial's avatar
hifial
332 posts
 
Thanks Wisnon for trying to explain the Regen. However I think you may have misstated one or two items.

I have asked Alex, of Uptone Audio, to see if John Swenson could come on here and explain but I am not sure he ever saw my message in his overflowing mailbox. I will try again.

The PCB board they use is a four (4) layer. One of the reasons to use the four layer is to help impedance matching.

As far as the "cable impedance matching" that is one of the areas where I think you may have misspoke.

Anyway you were able to explain it much better then I could so thank you.


wisnon
700 posts
 
Yes, agreed AL, the cable mod comes from Corning experience and led them to add resistors in the Regen board at the ground connection. This is somewhat greater than 3 ohms, so it increases the resistance all going to Ground. Its not really impedance matching per se, but I could not explain it any better than that. The other point about lowering overall Dac side impedance is another matter entirely, but is somewhat addressed by the Regen as well...cant recall how now.

And yes the 4 layer PCB is for impedance matching...though even that is part of the overall SI goal, IIRC.
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