2. digital
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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 2 responses by macdude

macdude
187 posts
 
I feel digital is so dependent upon the quality of our mains power. So we are all hearing different things from the same exact DAC based upon our power quality.

I have a Bakoon DAC-21 that is off the grid.

It has the lowest noise floor and distortion I have heard in my system.

And it seems a bit silly now to have spent tens of thousands of dollars on power and ground conditioning. When in the end it still doesn’t stack up to a well designed DAC that’s off the grid.

Hopefully we will get more DACs like the Bakoon or the LIO DAC that is completely decoupled from the A/C with its dual capacitor bank design.
macdude
187 posts
 
But i believe that proper conditioning and good cables can compensate for a lot of the hash from the AC line.

I went that route with Entreq gear. The best power conditioner I’ve ever used, and still use.

And the Ziro Disclosure power cord - mind blowing what a power cord can do, when it addresses RFI/EMI.

Still when I installed the Bakoon DAC into my system, I was blown away at the noise floor and lack of distortion.

I read about the Japanese audiophile who had his own electrical pole installed. Sounded crazy at the time, but not so much anymore.
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