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
Alex - I've tried to explain the same thing to Tbg, but apparently our words are falling on deaf ears. (That's just an expression that seems to apply in this case, and is not meant as any condemnation of Tbg's hearing acuity!) He is apparently convinced that DoP is not truly native DSD and cannot be swayed from that belief. I do appreciate your effort though, since I gave up several posts ago!
Bill_k, to be honest, your posts were the reason why I tried again explaining to Tbg with more detail, hoping he will understand better what's going on.

It seems like many believe that DoP is some sort of DSD to PCM conversion that can be clearly discriminated as inferior compared to "native" DSD.
This, as we know, is not true as DoP=DSD. :-)

Thank you as well for trying to make things clear!

BTW, I do like your disclaimer! :-)

Best,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi
Hi all.

The DSD-S arrived today at the office; thanks to Alex's brother as courier.
I will get it hooked up and cooking asap.

Review to follow.
Looking forward to your impressions of Alex's DSD-S DAC! He is an extremely well versed engineer so my expectations are very high on it.