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 1 response by gregfisk

I personally have only had 1 piece of equipment that I heard break in. Oddly enough it was a Roland Capri. I don't know how many hours it had on it but it was almost new. I had it about a month and pretty much hated it from the beginning. Then one day I was listening with the volume up a bit and boom, the right channel just changed in tone and one second after that the left channel changed. A veil had been lifted and the harshness on the top end went away. It was like night and day and it changed enough that I kept it for a couple of years before I moved on. I didn't believe in break in before that and have not heard a change like that again. My guess is that it was the capacitors burning in at that moment but I don't claim to know. Other than that I'm with Grannyring, I think more likely it's us who changes and we just simply get used to a different sound of a new component after a certain amount of time. I also believe for me anyway the sound changes from day to day or hour to hour depending on me, not the gear. I mean what's more likely, the equipment is changing or the life form that's listening to it?