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best DAC for PC server

I have recently started using a PC to serve my red book CDs to my music system and I love the convenience this system gives me.
What I hate is the sound quality - output of a RME9632 via glass optical to EAD8800pro DAC pre-pro. Its not bad, its just rather average and misses capturing the emotion that Ive heard through the best cdp's (Linn CD12 for eg).
I now want this convenience but with great sound quality of the CD12.
Would adding a Meitner or DCS (and so on) quality DAC on to my PC be worthwhile?
Can the Meitner take a coaxial input and how does it sound when not fed via the Meitner transport. I am aware I couldnt use SACD but this is a insignificant problem right now. I would have the ability to add a transport later if SACD became interesting to me.

thanks in adv,
VB
vikingboy

Showing 3 responses by audioengr

audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Excellent DAC's include:

1) Perpetual P-3A
2) MSB gold
3) Electrocompaniet ECD-1
4) Benchmark DAC-1
None of these will deliver the magic stock, but modified, they are all world-class. The ECD-1 is probably the best stock. You could have a USB interface installed in any of them as well.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
"Steve, do you do the USB mods to those units you mentioned?"

Yes, I can put a USB interface in any DAC, including the Meitner.

I would recommend using your favorite DAC and just install the USB interface in it or use an audiophile-quality external converter.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Juzi68 - once you have the clarity and speed of PC driven playback, you will notice the jitter even more. The clock in the PC, the S/PDIF interface, the S/PDIF cable all add to the jitter. I hear it mostly as a bit of echo or sibilance at the high-frequencies. Once it was gone, I really appreciated this. Better than the best transport on the market now.
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