Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Hifial & Ctsooner,
I agree with you guys, but this is audio and people are going to be chasing the last detail like a dog chasing its tail. Not sure if the Vertere Pulse HD USB Cable has been compared to the $2,000 Synergistic Research USB Cable. Besides the Totaldac USB, it has bested the following according to AE. They also hail the Vertere Pulse HB Ethernet cable as knocking anything that came its way against as well as the Vertere phono cable. Also, the Vertere RG-1 Reference Turntable/Reference Tonearm has replaced Da Vinci Gabriel, Wave Kinetic NVS, Transrotor's flagship and several Durand Telos in some systems according AE. I am not endorsing Vertere products, but they are worth checking out, and I would give them a listen if I am in the market for any for any of these products.

1. Absolue Creations TIM Crystal Dreamline Plus/ Reference USB
2. Siltech Double Crown Golden Universal USB
3. Light Harmonic LightSpeed USB cable

The problem with making cable pronouncements is that cables are very much equipment dependent... To say xyz cable beats abc cable is pointless unless the equipment used is exactly the same as ones own..

Erikminer,
I agree, in many instances, not all.

I just replaced a very expensive shotgun speaker cable run (Audience AU24-SE) with a fairly affordable single speaker cable run (Merrill Audio Anap) and gained a significant improvement in my system's performance. System matching is everything. Of course, there are probably super expensive cables that match my current/new cables personality that will give me even better performance; I just need to figure out what they are.

Obviously my AU24-SE cables have been reviewed exceedingly well and are recognized as being great cables. They just didn't mix as well with my room and combination of equipment....

Matt, I agree. One reason I stay with Audioquest is because that's what Richard Vandersteen uses with his speakers and it's what my dealer demo's them with. When we've changed cables or even cords, I've heard a huge drop off and that includes that 5K power cord I mentioned earlier. Dealers and manufacturers know what sounds best with their products most of the time, however I'm sure they show their gear with whatever company wants to work with them. I could be wrong, but I know a few who show with companies that they don't personally own themselves as it makes for good business.