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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 hchilcoat

hchilcoat
152 posts
 
I was seriously considering the Antipodes DXe and then DV but the price kept going up with the new version to more than I wanted to pay. So I decided for the money that I would go for the Aries into my Lampizator L4G4. I'm having a blast with it, especially with Tidal. A definite improvement over my CD player running into the Lampi via coax. I'm just getting started ripping my CD collection and playing around with sample DSD downloads. So far I'm just copying everything to a portable hard drive and plugging that into the Aries USB port, but will probably set up a NAS server soon.

I've saw in John Darko's review that he gave an Antipodes DXe an edge over the Aries. But for $1600 you can't go wrong with the Aries!
hchilcoat
152 posts
 
Wisnon, you mentioned something about Aries mods? What do you hear -- I'd love to know!
hchilcoat
152 posts
 
@reverendo Just a question for a clarification, did you think the Lampizator GG crushed the Cantata or vice versa? I interpreted your statement as the former but wanted to make sure. 
hchilcoat
152 posts
 
Hi there Agear! I loved your description of your wife's comments. I showed them to my wife and she asked if she could have her email.

She looked over as I was typing this (she calls it Audiogon yellow) and asked:

"do all the audio dweebs come out at night"?

My 11 year-old son saw this and said "But you're not a dweeb dad". So there is still hope for me.
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