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

Showing 9 responses by branislav

I agree you dont want to overdo it and feel overwhelmed with 7 dac having at the same time. However, I do feel like having several pieces of equipment is the best way to figure which one works in your system or also what they sound like so in case you're after a certain sound later on, you can rely on your impressions.
Thank you for keeping us updated...Im especially curious how the tube dacs stack against each other, like Lamp against Romulus and then solid state Aeris against Empirical.
Those were my impressions of the Allnic too, it sounded thin and not colorful like a tube dac could. My Lamp Big6 just killed it, just like it did everything else. Congrats on finding the speaker, that's probably the biggest step.
I would not go to RMAF and not check out that room - 2024. Paired with Lampizator, it should be awesome.
I wish I could have been there. Maybe I would have done the same, who knows :-). I'm coming next year for sure...
I agree...funny, I have Codex with Nighthawks and also simple computer system. You have to hear it in balanced, way better...I don't have top shelf system like I used to have but i can tell Codex for the money is a killer, with great midrange and voice reproduction, depth often found lacking with solid state and musicality in spades. However, I get a feeling that its frequency extremes leave a bit to be desired.