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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 sksos1

sksos1
395 posts
 
I find tube rolling can make or break the sound of a component but also find power cords more important than interconnects and or speaker cable. (and more important than tube rolling but both are essential)

I just ordered a week ago a Lampi Big 6 with DSD. I'm told the Big 6 sounds better on redbooks than the Big 7 and since I'm really only interested in redbook this is why I went this route. Although to be honest I listen to 90-95% analog on my Kuzma Stabi XL2 with Kuzma 4Point arm and Kuzma CAR-50 cartridge and as Alex of APL has stated even his Kuzma analog rig sounds better than any digital!
HAPPY LISTENING
Steve
SOS

(Dealer disclaimer)
sksos1
395 posts
 
Tube rolling is fun but can take many hours of trial and error and there are so many tubes out there and just because one brand works for you in a particular component doesn't mean it will be the perfect tube in another component. My amps use 16 tubes and my phono unit uses 22 tubes! Still I'd get the power cords set first so you then can hear tube differences easier.
Over the years I've gone from listening to 20 plus brands of ac cords and have finally settled on just 2 brands, what they are doesn't matter but finding the right ones for your system can bring a smile to your face every night.
sksos1
395 posts
 
I ordered the Big 6 with 6SN7 tubes and in my Atmasphere Novacron amps that use 4 x 6SN7 tubes per side, in each location I find different brands sound better with the back two positions making the biggest sonic difference. So listening to 5 or 6 different brands of this tube will take a while, that is after the unit has some time to break-in.
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