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
Matt, I used to love those speakers lol. Too funny. That Brinkmann is a great Dac. I’ve heard it a few times. It really shined last year in the Vandersteen room at one of the shows. My Ayre QX 5 has a hair more detail, but it won’t touch the musicality or size of sound stage that the Brinkmann has. It’s also twice the price but this is about best. 
@mattnshilp 

Matt,

Enjoyed the first three videos. Like Steve, I'd love for you to explain your speakers and how they work.

Note: The lighting you are using seems to add a blue hue but is also appreciated. Certainly better than no lighting at all.
Matt, I enjoyed watching all four of the videos, including the one that just went up with the live piano playing. And on my computers, at least, the somewhat low volume and low lighting weren’t any problem at all.

In fact to me the only slight downside of the low lighting, as a collector of antique radios, was that I couldn’t tell for sure if the cathedral radio on the left side was an original or a modern repro. I’m guessing it was a modern repro modelled a bit loosely on the 1930s Philco 90 :-)

Best regards,
-- Al