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
I agree Reverendo,  the MK II Davinci is even better than the Mark One almost impossible to hear as the owner of Light Harmonic is personally upgrading each unit himself so the likely hood is what you heard was a MK I Dual Dac

The Mark II Dual Dac expands on everything in the MK I and adds 768k and DSD 512.

We are feeding our Davinci with a Baetis Reference computer and the sound is to die for, extremely analog with tremendous air and depth.

If you are ever in our neck of the woods love for you to hear our setup.

Troy
Audio Doctor
877 428 2873




CStooner, i hope you had a great time at SunCoast! Are you in the pictures Mike posted?


Matt, to avoid OCD, maybe you would want to check out the Lampi Golden Atlantic instead? Only the recti can be rolled and well, the Kron 5u4g and the EML 274B are the best normal tubes and the Tak 274b or WE vintage 274b are he absolute champs but like $1K each.

The GA also is a smaller form factor.

It was a great time with Mike at Suncoast.  If I lived down there, he'd be my dealer no doubt.  He just gets it.  I haven't seen the pics.  I doubt if I'm in any though, but who knows.  He put on a really nice event.  What a great store though.  Three good listening rooms of various size and shapes. Not easy to get it right, but he has some of the best sounding rooms going.  I like his mix of products also.  I'm still not a Magico fan after listening to the S3 all day.  I like the lower end dynamics of the Vandersteen for much less money as did a few others who were there.  Still, they were so much better sounding from the mid bass up than the original ones they made.  Peter McKay was very knowledgeable as always.  I met him before when he was with Krell, here in CT.  

Mike has a great diversity of products for high end. I was quite surprised at the different choices he offers for digital.  He may be an analog guy too, but that shows that you can do both if you have the coin, lol. Where are the pics located?  I'd love to see them. I met a bunch of guys from VAC as well as Suncoast Audio Society.  Was just a fun Saturday afternoon for me.  I thank Mike for having me over and sharing.  Very kind of him.