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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
tecknik
482 posts
 
I look forward to your review of the Shunmook Giant Diamond Resonators, been interested in these for some time now.
abedirov's avatar
abedirov
63 posts
 
Hi Matt  
You are spot on about current Lampi built. I have just received a brand new GG2 and the laser engraving on the rear side is a work of art:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1l93tbz6vp4ds6r/AAAYyVb1pHKh10EPQP34kLlJa?dl=0
Looking forward to your impressions about Big 7 and Pacific. 
Also, very curious about new Antipodes CX + EX combo. Maybe you will have an opportunity to audition them as well. 

Cheers,
Aziz
sbonamo
61 posts
 
For what it's worth, I own the Formula and one thing it does not lack is air or detail. Also, I don't have the xHD upgrade yet.
Also, I've heard some of the best DACs (MSB, Aries Cerat, TotalDAC, DCS) and the best I've heard, to my ears is the TD 12.
Post removed 
mitch2
3,728 posts
 
@abedirov 
I see your DX sitting there and I will be happy to have mine back from Antipodes today in its new Gen3 form (with the V4X electronics). I am going to set it up this weekend running a short CAT 7 wire from the DX to the latest SOtM ultra triad that will serve as the endpoint (or renderer) then a very short USB from the SOtM tx-USBultra Signal Regenerator into my Pavane Level 3 DAC. That set-up should be sort of like running the CX + EX combo except with the SOtM stuff as the endpoint instead of the EX.  
I still want to try Metrum's Ambre as a ROON endpoint but them not seeming to have ROON certification yet plus no support for Squeezelite/Squeezebox led me to try the SOtM gear first. Metrum keeps upgrading however and now has MQA and I2S modules that are user-installable into my DAC so trying the Ambre as a ROON endpoint with I2S directly into the Pavane is an attractive option. Once they have it all sorted out, I will probably pick up the Ambre and the two modules and compare that set-up with what I will have this weekend using the SOtM gear.
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