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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
aplhifi
515 posts
 
Hi Matt,

I'd suggest using the IsoTek burn-in CD. You can buy it and rip it to your Mac to use for faster break-in of any audio component in the chain.

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Matt, I sure hope to read that the Aesthetix makes it to the party here, My interest is because I am considering getting A Romulas signature in the near future, Really, If you get an Aesthetix digital product in these comparisions, Make sure you get the signature model, from what I understand, this up-grade is substantial to the performance of the Aesthetix product line up, cheers.
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
I have read where owners of Esoteric K-01 players have to do 300 to 400 hours of burn-in time for each setting, a total of over 1000 hours before the player is completly done, It is strange to me too, after reading that, my interest of Esoteric was gone, I do not care how good it sounds, to many others out there that would sound good enough that you will not have to go through that kind of hard ship for less hours of burn-in!
agear
1,362 posts
 
This is not happening fast enough...
kernelbob
51 posts
 
Getting the most from CDs & break-in
I'm very interested in the review of DACs with a focus on Redbook CD. To me, the performance is more important than the medium and for a variety of works, my favorites (classical, opera, jazz) are often recorded in the 1960's, 50's, or even 40's, so getting the most out of them is my top priority.

I'm using the PSA PWD-II and am curious about the DirectStream, as well as the other DACs, since posts frequently comment on how much more information the DS retrieves from CDs than the PWD.

One comment. The PSA DACs (I had the MK-I and upgraded to the MK-II) need a very long break-in time. When I got the PWD, I was ready to return it after too weeks (thin bass, hard treble). When I called my vendor, he asked me to give it a couple more weeks and that after the first two weeks, the sound is at its nadir. Shortly after that, the DAC steadily improved and ended up sounding great. I don't know about the DirectStream, but it may need similarly long break-in period.

Thanks much for the shoot-out, I'm looking forward to your impressions.
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