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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
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Mel,a good friend of mine has the Aesthetix Romulus Signature and I've listened to it often(it replaced his good sounding Modwright Oppo 105 and then his Lampizator DAC, very good).The Romulus is truly a natural sounding and passionate music reproducer.
Charles,
joecasey
484 posts
 
10-04-14: Audiolabyrinth
Hi winson, I agree with what you have said, however, keeping up with this thread for as long as I have, I do find that I have alot of the same tast for sound as matt does, cheers.
So you and Mattnshilp must had listening sessions TOGETHER?
nickolaspappas
35 posts
 
Crazy that this thread is still going! Just wanted to pop in to say that the Rowland Aeris dac that Matt sold to me (thanks again Matt) was not fully broken in when Matt was evaluating it. After putting several hundred more hours on it, it has opened up significantly. It sounded good when I received it, but the output today is something else. A night and day difference. Anyone considering it should keep that in mind when reading Matt's comments on it.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Thank you Nickolas, your findings corroborate my own experience with the Rowland Aeris.... At about 800 hours Aeris sounds "quite good", but its magic is not unleashed until the device stabilizes completely.... And that does not happen until at least the 1200 hour mark... But might be even further in time.

G.
mattnshilp OP
917 posts
 
I don't remember exactly now, but I think I had about 1k hours on it +/-

Glad you are loving it, it was an exceptional dac that, I guess, got even better. Cool.

You can't go wrong with any I have heard really. More ear and system dependent then anything else....
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