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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 3 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,592 posts
 
So a couple of the worst sounding reproductions I’ve heard came from a Mac Mini. Not sure if it was really a Mac issue or coincidental. One was with the Oppo high end headphone DAC/Amp.

The other was the sound of an Ayre QB-9. I love Ayre and the Pono. They sound warm and rich but the one time I heard a QB-9 playing from a Mac it sounded really hard. Another listener who owns a QB-9 said the same thing.

I don’t think it’s worthwhile going crazy making the Mac Mini audiophile grade, but it may be something to watch out for. I don’t know if the issue was ground loops, or what.

In any event, I likd Shiidt, Audio Research and Parasound’s Z DAC a lot, as well as the Ayre DAC’s, of course! :) Actually I got to hear all of those (except the Z DAC) driven off a Mac Mini, and only the Ayre was a real disappointment, it just did not sound as good as I know it could have.  The other three, the Shiidt and AR were my favorites.  I forgot now what kind of hoops they ended up jumping through, USB Isolators, or cables, etc. but in that environment if I had to listen via a Mini, I'd choose the Shiidt or AR.

Money, time and effort no object I'd try to make the Ayre sound good. :)

Best,


Erik
erik_squires
16,592 posts
 
ctsooner kind of proves my point. :)  That's a lot of upgrading to make a source sound good. 

I'm sticking to my Logitech Squeezebox until the Zombie apocalypse happens, thank you very much.  Then I plan to walk into an empty audio store and pick up something for free. 

Best,

Erik 
erik_squires
16,592 posts
 
Wow, for some one not here to fight you type with a lot of attitude.

Let me rephrase my meaning in a kinder, gentler Erik in the hopes that any attitude present on my own writing is taken away.

I only meant that if you need to upgrade a source component a lot to make it sound good it makes me question the value of the source to begin with. So, not being an expert or caring to spend a lot of money or time on Mac Mini's, your perspective made me even less willing to try a Mac Mini as a source.

That's all. Not worth fighting about.  I think Mac Mini's are adorable, but between your comments and my previous two listening experience, I'm unlikely to rush out and get one for music listening.

Enjoy your path as much as you can!


Erik
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