Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

I don't feel attacked.  Just making a point that nobody should be making any purchasing decisions or ruling out products they might otherwise consider based on the discussion in this thread. 

Might also want to check out the Chord Blu Mk 2 for the DAVE. New CD transport that can be used as a digital upscaler and is designed to work with DAVE.  Supposedly significantly increases performance of DAVE (per the designer and some in Asia that have heard it).  I have a DAVE and have one on order.  Ships to US June.  Good luck.

The synergy of digital set ups with other components in the chain has a such huge impact on the end product.  For example, I can say the Dave fed by Lumin U1, going direct to Soulution 511 monos pushing Magico M3s (my digital system) certainly does not lack layers, note decay or coherence.  The sound is unbelievable and I would say the Dave excels in all these areas and will crush DACs much more expensive in sound quality.  But what cstooner may hear in his system or Matt in his, with their components etc, it can be very different.  

Uhh ok.  I guess all the others across the world are wrong about the Dave and you are right.  It basically does a couple of good things and otherwise sucks.  Lol.  IMO this is why a few anecdotal statements on a message board in isolation are basically useless.  Look at the body of reviews and experiences, and make your own mind up.

Well other than the OP that is...

There are lots of really really good ones compared to just 5 years ago.  It's a golden age for DACs.  What cost 40k 5 years ago can be had for 5k now.  Many of the new ones sound great direct to the new fancy amps, further enhancing resolution and cost efficiency.  The streamers can be controlled from an iPad. Tons of lossless content available via monthly subscription.  It's pretty amazing when you think about it, comparing to not too long ago.  Good luck finding a reference.  

I'm not upset, dude.  It's audio gear.  Not something I would get upset over.  But I see no reason to give credence to vague statements (teenager? Does a couple of things well?) that don't square up with those of very experienced listeners I know and trust, not to mention my own and the general consensus of experts around the globe.  Leads me to question the foundation (i.e. accuracy) of said opinions.  Also, if you have truly been looking for a refererence red book DAC for 3 years and can't find one, that is truly bizarre.  There are many good ones out there.  

Ctsooner, you have made "enimies" talking about audio gear?  Wow.  Not sure how that is possible but, ok, maybe some take this a little too far.  Point is, not sure I would trust your opinion on this or the opinion of the competitor designer whoever he or she is (that is a polite way of saying, I don't).  And not sure anyone else should either.   Like you say, listen for yourself.  And I certainly do not need your validation.  Hopefully we are not enemies now.  I don't think I have any at the moment, lol.

There is a review of the DAVE by JA in the June Stereophile.  It's also on the cover.  Very positive and he does some interesting comparisons to other DACs using different technologies with shorter filter circuitry.  Give it a read and check out the measurements.  He also talks about shortcomings like no MQA decoding.  I like his reviews.  One of the things he says which I totally agree with is that the end result of the DAVE changes quite a bit depending on the other components in the chain.  Having owned one I can see where folks would come to different conclusions just based on the differing components.  It is a great DAC for the price, not much doubt about that in my mind.  But I would never say it's the best.  Even Rob Watts has said he has improved substantially on redbook when the DAVE is used with the new Chord CD transport and upscaler, Blu 2.  Waiting on mine to get here!  There are a lot of good (if not out of this world) DACs in the 8-15K range.  DAVE is one of them I would say.

Matt, my DAVE has made that static sound once or twice after burning in letting it play for a number of days straight.  I never turn mine off.  Was a little disturbed.  But each time I unplugged it and it was fine after that.  It hasn't happened any more since I stopped playing for days in a row.  And I still leave on all the time.