Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

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.

thanks let me see. I doubt it though

Awesome read and mandatory for all digital audio users!

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2016/05/gordon-rankin-on-why-usb-audio-quality-varies/

Also an interesting point I saw in a review of the Gen 2 Antipodes DX made by the DX designer:
According our man in New Zealand the argument against Ethernet (and for USB) runs like this: compared to Ethernet, USB has the potential to carry more noise from the server to the DAC but generates less of its own noise inside the DAC (think: receiver chips). Ethernet remains a good strategy with a noisy server. However, it can be bested by USB when a low noise server with a decent clock is present.

My fist experience with an Ethernet Renderer in a DAC has not been overwhelmingly positive. I feel that it ads a whole new series of variables that we (read I) am unfamiliar with: linear power supplies for Ethernet switches, low voltage switches, audiophile grade Ethernet cables, direct connection with bridged Ethernet ports vs. using a switch, etc.... there are a few excellent threads that discuss these tweaks but it all comes down to how crazy into the computer end of the DIY you want to go versus embracing a ready made server product. 

Do I think that Ethernet Renderers built into DAC's is the best big thing? YES, I do! Do I think everyone is ready for it and the audio world is prepared to implement it properly? No,