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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
agear
1,362 posts
 
Matt, speakers look great. You are almost there it seems....
jwm
918 posts
 
Matt I wouldn't be surprised if you did keep the dynaudio speakers. I heard their flagship at CES a few years ago and they were great
branislav
405 posts
 
Doesn't it sound weird having a tweeter so low to the ground?
musicmann1
96 posts
 
Yes their flagship (EVIDENCE PLATINUM) are a great speaker. They can pretty much do it all.
bill_k
883 posts
 
Branislav - you might think it would but it doesn't. That was Dynaudio's top of the line model, and the inverted driver configuration is an integral part of the design. Instead of time aligning the drivers by positioning them in a physically stepped array like some others do, they accounted for the additional delay as the driver frequency increases by being further away from those drivers as their offset angle increases. Of course they also took the rolloff of the drivers into account as you get off axis. All in all, an ingenious design that is a true classic!
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