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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 1 response by milpai

milpai's avatar
milpai
2,488 posts
 
If anyone can please clarify:

I understand that the Chord FPGA DACS internally convert DSD to PCM for playback. Is that correct or I have not heard the right thing?

I am looking for a DAC that would "play DSD natively". My definition of native would be - if I purchased a audio file in DSD, then the DAC should not convert it to PCM for playback or other reasons. (I am not going into the argument that the music was originally recorded in PCM and then converted to DSD, they way it was sold to me.)

Can someone please confirm?
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