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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
paul79
172 posts
 
It's OCD
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Actually mtruong, it's ODSX.  That's the name of Steve's newest DAC.  Yes, I transposed two of the letters.  sorry about that.
krumley7882's avatar
krumley7882
5 posts
 
ctsooner- I agree.  Ayre is fantastic.

While I do have limited experience, I have found Ayre to be the most enjoyable DAC, befitting of my musical tastes/preferences and wallet.  I was able to compare to dB Labs Tranquility SE, Auralic and ifi iDSD.  Hope to try an Empirical Audio on day!  Read great things. Cheers

Thanks for great thread question mattnshilp-  No right answer, but lots of options
johnread57's avatar
johnread57
203 posts
 
Veracity Chrysalis DAC seem to be another contender in this league as of course is the Aries Cerat Kassandra MK2 DAC. Apologies on both counts if these were raised already.

ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
I"ll get the Ayre, but there is a short list of DAC's I'm going to want to try and listen to before I decide to keep it.  Most will have to be used for me to afford, but with the every evolving world of digital, that shouldn't be a problem.  Bricasti's, the new ODSX, EMM, Ayre's 5 series and a few others that are also from small companies like Steve's.  There really are so many great options right now.  Dealers can no longer afford to just carry a DAC line because they have the amp line. I really feel that they will need to carry three high end DAC's and a few more of the mid priced ones.  That's not to say that analog is dead or anything like that.  I still love putting on a record, but my money goes into digital right now and used records that I can usually get for under $2.
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