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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
4orreal
91 posts
 
Erikminer,
I agree, in many instances, not all.
mattnshilp OP
894 posts
 
I just replaced a very expensive shotgun speaker cable run (Audience AU24-SE) with a fairly affordable single speaker cable run (Merrill Audio Anap) and gained a significant improvement in my system's performance. System matching is everything. Of course, there are probably super expensive cables that match my current/new cables personality that will give me even better performance; I just need to figure out what they are.

Obviously my AU24-SE cables have been reviewed exceedingly well and are recognized as being great cables. They just didn't mix as well with my room and combination of equipment....
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,104 posts
 
Matt, I agree. One reason I stay with Audioquest is because that's what Richard Vandersteen uses with his speakers and it's what my dealer demo's them with. When we've changed cables or even cords, I've heard a huge drop off and that includes that 5K power cord I mentioned earlier. Dealers and manufacturers know what sounds best with their products most of the time, however I'm sure they show their gear with whatever company wants to work with them. I could be wrong, but I know a few who show with companies that they don't personally own themselves as it makes for good business.
mattnshilp OP
894 posts
 
Lol. When I was in the Montreal show (less crowded and a LOT less formal) the reps in the room seamed to be very chatty. If I made a "negative" comment about a pair of speakers I didn't think was necessarily helping to make their electronics shine, they frequently thanked me for noticing and told me that they just get stuck with who they get stuck with, whether they feel the gear meshes well or not.
erikminer
433 posts
 
My point exactly Matt! My example is I was using an Audioquest Diamond USB cable, highly reviewed and from what was written a great sounding cable.. but I wasn't sure after a few months of listening.. A friend suggested that I try a Wireworld Platinum Eclipse.. Based on the reviews I figured the Wireworld wouldn't be as good a match, boy was I wrong.. In My System. the Wireworld trounced the Audioquest.. and sounded nothing like what various reviewers said about it.

Matt what I would strongly recommend is that once you settle on equipment more or less, that you borrow some cables from The Cable Company.. I think you'll find it really enlightening and far less expensive than buying, trying and then selling..
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