Worlds best DAC

In my opinion, the "best DAC" would be the one that works in Pure DSD mode (that means converts PCM to DSD as well), and does not use D/A conversion chips which send/upsample DSD through Delta/Sigma modulators.
Lastly, there shouldn't be any solid state components on the signal path, after the DSD D/A conversion (usually an FIR filter).
Now, that is really hard to find. :-)

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev
APL Hi-Fi

The Phasure eats it alive using PCM. Its closer via DSD but the Phasure is still clearly better.

I have the Phasure NOS1 DAC here, as well as many other DACs.

Prior to the Phasure the best sound I had heard was DSD using the Playback.

This just proves the fact that "best component" is only a synergy between all components in a given audio system. :-)

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev

The truth, the utter truth, is there is no best, there is no better, all there is is what people like in their systems. Two people can listen to exactly the same system - one goes - WOW - the other BLAH.

Yup, that is the case. In my opinion, the so called "personal taste" in audio is just what people are used to, which, in most cases, has nothing to do with realistic tonality of live (un-amplified) performances. Though one person will like Steinway and the other Yamaha grand-pianos, these both have to be reproduced faithfully in an audio system, so there are no preferences - it is either real, or colored. Since all audio systems are colored (cost no object), I personally prefer coloration that is closest-to-real. :-)

Trying to minimize the BLAH and maximize the WOW factor, I have designed and built a complete reference audio system, from the power cables to the speakers, and I am very happy. You can check out the system (on Audiogon) under my signature, I have just updated it with the latest.

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev

Hey Alex are you going to be at CES this year?

Hi Jwm,

Unfortunately, I will not be attending the CES. Had a few expos in Europe recently, and planning on more exhibitions next year.

Maybe will be at the CES early 2015, will see.

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev

Well said Alex. Can we infer then that the Phasure dac is not eating your dac alive? Are you using the all-important software and computer as a pre-ampless transport

In my opinion, PCM1704-based DACs always have certain sound character, regardless of how the rest is designed. This said, comparing such DACs to my reference DSD-M converter is comparing apples to oranges. To simplify things, you can look at PCM as Digital and DSD as Analog. :-)

The DSD-M does not have a built-in attenuator, so it needs a preamp. However, my HAS-M hybrid amplification system has attenuator built-in, so there is no need for additional preamp.

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev

OK - I also took on over my Playback Designs MPD3, which, prior to the Phasure, was the best DAC I had heard via DSD

In my experience, PCM to DSD converters are very tricky and can vary dramatically when it comes to sound quality.

Can you do an experiment? Convert some of your favorite PCM files to DSD64 or DSD128 using JRiver 19 Media Center, as I feel their PCM to DSD modulator is superb. Once done, feed the resulting DSD files through your MPD-3 and see what happens against your PCM DAC playing the same PCM files?

Best wishes,
Alex Peychev

Digital does indeed suck. There is always something ever so slightly askew. I don't own a vinyl rig, but in those escapist moments, my subconscious mind dreams of some big brass platter. A lot of the "solutions" for sale seem to fall short and somehow desecrate the music. Not just absence of fatigue but lifelike dynamics and energy. That is a razor's edge. Many NOS or tube dacs fails in that department. Reclockers fail. Upsampling fails. Hi rez and DSD fails.

I will personally disagree as I have demonstrated at a recent audio show in Norway how vinyl recorded to DSD sounds exactly like the vinyl on A-B test. This actually shocked some hard-core vinyl loving audiophiles and reviewers.

In the event of vinyl vs. digital shootout, I personally don't know of any other way, except using something recorded direct to disc/vinyl and direct to DSD, without additional mastering, usually done by different recording engineers. For example MFSL Patricia Barber "Night Club" 45rpm audiophile pressing was mastered by someone else and, in my opinion, sounds somewhat inferior to the MFSL SACD.
This said, I use the vinyl/SACD bundle Bassface Trio Plays Gershwin by Stockfish. For me, with this bundle, I can really tell the difference between vinyl and digital.

Best,
Alex Peychev

I found this link of the Trinity Dac, showing an inside photo.

Is this some sort of speculation with the internals of the Trinity DAC, especially @ 40k Euro?

Thanks!
Alex Peychev