[JLM]

I've been in stereo/audio for 40 some years and have an $8000 system in a dedicated room.  Tried the original Eastern Electric minimax DAC with recommended upgrade tube but: 1.) I'm a speaker guy, so spending big money on the rest of the signal chain is largely (not completely) wasted on me; 2.) It was no better than my current DAC (Scott Endler modded Behringer DEQ2496) so I sold it.  Recently ripped my CD collection and so could replace the EQ function with software and also the Behringer.

Like most I suppose, I'm not ready financially to replace my music collection with Hi-Res versions.  Not even sure if Hi-Res interests me, probably being blissfully ignorant (fire away).  With all the chatter about Hi-Res it seems that Redbook has been overlooked.  Please spare me reading a year's worth of internet postings, but what is the latest thoughts regarding up sampling or over sampling Redbook?  As I understand (barely) there is no advantage of using a Hi-Res DAC with Redbook, true?

So what solid state DAC's would you recommend ($100 - 1,000)?  Volume control would be a plus.  Remote for the volume control would be another plus.  Hate to invest in a target that is moving so fast, but it seems with Redbook being passed over that this could be a good time to make a move.

TIA

[mcgsxr]

Where does the music live, and how do you get it there?

Is there a PC in the room with the system etc?  What s/w are you running on the PC?
 
Just trying to sort out what you're running, to see if there is a stand out suggestion that can take that into consideration.

[ebag4]

The Tranquility DACs are very nice, even the original which I have seen sell used for less than $500.00.  No volume control and redbook only but excellent sound.

Best,
Ed

[usp1]

The Rega Dac is very nice but does not have a volume control.

[rajacat]

The Tranquility DACs are very nice, even the original which I have seen sell used for less than $500.00.  No volume control and redbook only but excellent sound.

Best,
Ed

Awhile ago I considered the Tranquility DAC but was put off by the necessity of having to buy an Apple computer to feed it for the best possible sound.

[dpatters]

I used to have the original  EE Minimax DAC.  I upgraded the tube and the op amps.  Replaced it with Metrum Octave NOS DAC and never looked back. I am Redbook CD Playback only.  I also use Empirical Audio Synchromesh with Dynamo power supply between my CD Transport and the Metrum Octave. No volume control.

[wisnon]

BMC Pure dac comes highly recommended and costs relatively little.

The new Portable battery powered Chord Hugo should be da bomb.

[Folsom]

Bel Canto Dac 3 on a good day for a little more money used. It has the most and best features (inputs, outputs, etc) of any DAC I've played with. But sound? Hm that I can't give to it, but it's definitely good.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/da-converters-bel-canto-dac-3-great-shape-2013-11-28-digital-29671-pickens-sc

[srb]

The Emotiva DACs are good sounding and have analog remote volume control and sample rate display.  Both use AD1955 DAC chips and have .25dB analog resistor ladder volume controls.

The Stealth DC-1 uses dual AD1955 over the XDA-2's single AD1955, has higher quality dual Muses 72320 volume control chips and has an OLED display vs VFD display.

Pretty good values on sale for $250 & $500 ($400 & $700 list).

Steve

[JLM]

Well, glad to read that Redbook is still alive and well in some minds. 

BTW I ripped everything into iTunes using Apple Lossless as per John R's tutorial onto a 2013 iMac to the Behringer DEQ2496 via a cheap 35 foot optical cable which feeds a Jaton Operetta pre-amp.  The iMac has USB or optical outputs and the Operetta has coax or optical digital inputs.

Please keep the ideas coming.  I gotta believe others are reluctant to give up on their Redbook collections.

Is there any advantage in using a higher resolution DAC on Redbook?

Again, TIA

[srb]

Is there any advantage in using a higher resolution DAC on Redbook?

Not in my experience.  I had a DAC that had switchable Upsampling or Bypass and I always preferred it in the unaltered bit-perfect Bypass mode.  The Emotivas I mentioned both have a bypass setting for sample rate conversion as well.

Steve

[Folsom]

Is there any advantage in using a higher resolution DAC on Redbook?

Again, TIA

Personal taste. They DO sound different, but there isn't a "better".

[Larkston Zinaspic]

Most of my digital is still in the Redbook format. If you were looking for a Firewire DAC (which of course, you aren't) I'd still recommend a Metric Halo ULN-2. It's disqualified from your checklist for various reasons, but it's a solid state DAC, and doesn't pretend to be anything else. It'll play your CeeDee rips at their native resolution, or 24-bit files up to 96k if the urge ever strikes you. The ULN-2 is still sounding really good with Fidelia, and I also own the LIO-8.

[jMelvin]

The Tranquility DACs are very nice, even the original which I have seen sell used for less than $500.00.  No volume control and redbook only but excellent sound.

Best,
Ed

I agree .. wonderful sound from this DAC (even better with some upgrades).

[Jonathan]

I, too, ripped my CDs to a Mac Mini and was using a Behringer DEQ2496 as my DAC. The Behringer made music, but was not a good sounding DAC at all. I replaced it with a Parasound ZDAC that sounds wonderful and has far exceeded my expectations for a DAC of this price (i got a good deal to boot).

[SJulian]

I have had great luck with the Audiolab MDAC.  It has all the features you are looking for (remote volume & balance), as well as balanced and single ended ouputs.  It has multiple digital inputs as well.  It also has multiple digital filters to tailor the sound.  The English love this DAC but it hasn't caught on here.  Great reviews in the English mags.  you can buy them direct from planet hifi in Canada.  I have had a Halide DAC,  an MHDT Havana, a Tranquility,  an Eastern Electric DAC,  a Wyred 4 Sound DAC 2, and a Metrum Ocatve in my system.  The MDAC to my ears is better than all of them and remains.  It sounds great either through a preamp or directly to an amp.  I have used it into an Audio REsearch LS26 and also into a Bryston 4bSST with great results.  I still get the itch to upgrade and plan on trying out an Audio Research DAC 8, but it is 5 times the price.   We will see how that turns out...

[SJulian]

I forgot to mention the MDAC is designed by John WEstlake who designed the Pink Triangle da Capo (my favorite dac of the 90's and 2000's).  He also designed the original Cambridge DAC magic.  The MDAC is light years ahead of the DAC Magic though.  Pinkfish discussion groups have a huge and interesting thread on the MDAC.

[JLM]

Thanks again for the suggestions.     I will look into them.

My idea behind having volume and remote controls would be to possibly replace my pre-amp.  I did the same with my Eastern Electric mini and didn't notice any ill effects into my Channel Island Audio mono-blocks that are designed for a passive pre-amp.  Anyone else have experience running straight from DAC into power amps?

[avta]

In my experience, limited as it has been, you will be better off using your preamp for volume control as opposed to the dac. This will allow you to consider much less expensive dacs which are still of good quality. I use a Micromega Mydac and am satisfied with it in my system. ( Mac Mini, usb to dac, Shindo Aurieges pre, Quicksilver Mono amps, Harbeth Compact 7 speakers ) There are many others but I have not heard them such as Schiit Bifrost which people seem to like.

[JLM]

Somehow nobody has mentioned the Schiit Bi-frost.   

I like American made, smart Aleck owners, and especially the unreadability (if it's not every 3 months and you have to make each upgrade so you can do the next upgrade).