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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
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
mmm, now you talking what I would likly appreciate Alex-APLhifi, please elaborate more on this DSD-M Dac, your discription sounds quite pleaseing, I'm sure all of us would want to know more, since your mid-line DSD-S dac done so very well in this shoot-out, cheers.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Details on the reference-level APL DSD-M DAC can be found at:
http://aplhifi.com/products/dsd-m
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
Getting the thread back on track, the thread title is " Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD". I vote for the Vitus MP-D201. I have never heard normal garden variety cd's sound at once so incredibly resolving, smooth, analogue-sounding and tube-like in character. In a word; musical. Moreover, this dac allows you to listen to even rock cd's from the 80's for hours without fatigue. I would say the MP-D201 is atleast 15% better than the Signature Series dac in the SCD-025 (which is already an awesome dac).
wisnon
700 posts
 
Audiolab, how do you know if you would like what Matt likes?This is not a shootout, its a demo report by Matt. You may likely find you font share quite the same opinion if you demoed together.
bill_k
882 posts
 
Melbguy1 - I'd be curious to know whether you've had the chance to audition the recently introduced Berkeley Reference DAC, and how it compares to the Vitus. It's priced at $16K but is supposed to be a new standard which excels at PCM decoding. Thanks in advance for your input!
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