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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

Showing 4 responses by ejr1953

ejr1953
927 posts
 
I have been enjoying my new PS Audio DirectStream DAC now for two months, and it never ceases to put a smile on my face!

Almost every album I listen to now has content I was not enjoying before, it might be a quiet guitar on one channel, some backup singer, a small amount of percussion, etc. This unit really brings out the detail I find is lost with other DACs.

I'm very happy with this unit.

Like other comments on this forum, I was concerned about buying the unit "sight unseen", but if you purchase the unit from an authorized dealer, you have 30 days to return the unit to PS Audio.

If you are like me, you won't think of returning it!
ejr1953
927 posts
 
I have had a PS Audio DirectStream DAC now for about 18 months and am still discovering new sounds in my 44.1/16 files.  I had to send my media server back to the factory for a repair, and since my streaming services don't have all the albums I enjoy listening to, I started investigating and snagged a PS Audio PerfectWave Transport, with an I2S (HDMI) cable.  This combination from PS Audio is absolutely fantastic.  Immediately upon playing the first CD I noticed much better impact and control in the bass, significantly improved dynamics in sounds like cymbals, better soundstage and just better overall fidelity.

I was so impressed I moved my CD library down to the "man cave" (a major effort!)
ejr1953
927 posts
 
I have been enjoying a PS Audio DirectStream DAC now for about 18 months, about a year ago added a PS Audio PerfectWave transport to play CDs.  I use an HDMI cable and connect the two using the I2S interface.

I see that they've discontinued the PerfectWave transport and replaced it with an upgraded DirectStream transport, which from what I read, outputs native DSD out the I2S port (in a way that Sony approves, to prevent people from making illegal copies of DSD played off SACDs), and is supposed to sound significantly better than the combination I'm using.

Anyone upgraded from the PerfectWave to the DirectStream transport also using the DirectStream DAC...have any insight to share?
ejr1953
927 posts
 
I have enjoyed a PS Audio DirectStream DAC for nearly three years and very highly recommend it, especially for CD quality PCM digital files as input.
About a year ago I added a PS Audio PerfectWave CD transport, connected to the DAC with an I2S cable, and it's the best sounding combination for playing CDs I've heard.
But that might not be the case soon, as I've ordered a PS Audio DirectStream transport from my dealer, I suspect when it arrives, I'll probably say that IT is the best sounding combination for playing CDs.  From what I'm reading, this new transport is even better and plays SACD disks, sending DSD directly to the DAC (I only have about 30 SACDs...might influence more spending on Amazon!)
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