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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
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
There is just something out on the edges of the information that sounds more natural when it’s R2R.
Yes, I think it’s called "dynamic contrast" and it breaths life and jump factor into the music,when converting PCM 16/44 24/96 or dxd, I have thousands of CD’s and that's the title to this thread, don’t know and don’t care about dsd.

Cheers George
jriggy's avatar
jriggy
549 posts
 
That’s good to know, George. My unknowledgeable brain interpreted it and has been calling it “proper volume scaling” of everything. 
jh901
67 posts
 
Shame this thread died. Is the thread starter still around?
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
Hi jj901. Thanks for the kind words. This thread actually got me a job as a professional reviewer. I now review for Enjoy The Music on line and for The Absolute Sound. I felt that continuing on this thread would be a conflict of interest. So I retired from it. I have no problem with others using it though.
fuzzbutt17's avatar
fuzzbutt17
68 posts
 
Hi Everyone.

Benjamin here from Mojo Audio to let you know about our new Mystique EVO D/A converter:
https://www.mojo-audio.com/mystique-evo-d-a-converter/
Currently we have quite a few months of back orders, but once we catch up, I’ll be sending one to Matt for review.
The short answer is the entry-level EVO is the next evolution of our award-winning Mystique v3 DAC.

Among some of the standard upgrades we’ve done, our new EVO has a better USB input with the latest XMOS chip, a better analog output stage with Sparkos Labs new SS2590 pro audio discrete op amps, an improved power supply with 16X Belleson SPX regulators, better shielding and anti-resonance, an XLR/AES balanced S/PDIF input with optional Lundahl amorphous core input transformer upgrade, and even optional Lundahl ferrous and amorphous core power supply choke upgrades.
The Lundahl amorphous core power supply choke upgrade in the analog section sounds beyond beyond.

Unlike most companies who use the term "EVO" with their products, our new Mystique has the ability to upgrade the entry-level version to our most advanced version.

Wouldn’t it be nice to know you have an upgrade and update path engineered into your next DAC?

Plus we’re planning on new digital input stages, new analog output stages, and even some pretty rare vintage R-2R DAC chip upgrades. I’ve been stocking up on the ultra-rare PCM63P-K2 and PCM63-Y chips that we’ll be releasing with one of our next D/A board upgrades.
And as with all Mojo Audio products, our new Mystique EVO comes with a 45-day no-risk audition. All you have to lose is your misconceptions :^)
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