alistairm Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 What would you get? It must have immaculate casework to justify being the same cost as a small car. This is not optional. To take one example, which is by all reports sounds utterly amazing, I don't want an MSB which looks like Peter Stein has stuffed an amp into a modem case to help with a high school project. This is not a theoretical conversation (for me) and front line contender is CH Precision. Any other suggestions? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David.M Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 dCs Vivaldi (cost no object and you didn't specify the make of small car it's cost equals 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Oh...I was about to suggest the super-duper top end of MSB stuff, very pricey. Actually, MSB to do some mix and match custom colour work as an extra, as seen on their website. Immaculate case work and top end would have to be Esoteric wouldn't it? How about a P02 Transport and a D02 Dac (21K a piece). I'm sure Krispy would be happy to take the order! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 The complete dCs stack would do it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipstartcanoe Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I'd buy the MSB Diamond DAC fully loaded, and have a custom case machined from a single billet; one for each power supply, and one for each of the transport and DAC. A little more frigging around, but at the end of the day, a fantastic sounding custom one off. Sorted! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 (edited) yep the full dcs stack experienced at a taipan night some years ago was probably best I've heard. was about $90k in boxes and yeah prob most expensive money no object front end have come across. build and fit and finish was wihtout doubt to the very highest standard. Edited October 13, 2013 by :) al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavtron Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 light harmonic da vinci looks nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JohnA Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 yep, DCS stack for sure and if funds wouldnt stretch that far esoteric quad stack p-01, d-01 and G-02 ahhh to dream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avalon Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Definitely Esoteric 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Briz Vegas Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Naim NDS and two 555 DR power supplies. I would drive it with a CJ GAT/ART monoblocks into Vivid G2s with an all Nordost Odin cable loom. Why? It's all up the chain from what I have. Naim nDAC and XPS 2 DR, is already pretty darn nice, in fact all you could really want from digital, but you did say money be damned. The interface and macbook I use ain't that pretty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavtron Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 gte audio - trinity also looks good.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gia Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 CH Precision 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistairm Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 CH Precision That's the top of the short list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LogicprObe Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I would go pro............but it will be an ADAC then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nada Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 If wanting the best sound with good looks and cost irrelevant I would guess for me it would be: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Not sure how it rates with you on an aesthetic scale but the Naim CD 555 is staggeringly awesome in every way. It is the ultimate example of a minimalist solution to reproducing music. I heard one briefly ( or so it seemed ) and I was moved to tears when some of my own music was played on it. I'm not sure you can ask for ( or achieve ) more than that with one component. Disclaimer: I do not own any Naim equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhobba Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Phasure DAC. I would pit it against anything. Thanks Bill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audiobugged Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Phasure DAC. I would pit it against anything. Thanks Bill Where did that come from? I thought a fully loaded PDX blew everything else away, except a chord cute with fancy power supply? Or is this now the new flavor of the week? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audiobugged Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 CH Precision very very good, as one has every right to expect at this level... Would love to see what the final decision ends up being. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aasza Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Metronome Technologies, they also make a very expensive space age looking CD Transport 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Misterioso Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 I have heard good things about Trinity. I also like their design. No personal experience, unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistairm Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 Metronome Technologies, they also make a very expensive space age looking CD Transport This comfortably fails as fugly beyond wor(l)ds. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aasza Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Antelope Audio Rubicon DA/Pre ?? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Misterioso Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 gte audio - trinity also looks good.. Out of production, the one I mentioned is the successor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistairm Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 Thread tidied up. Those interested in discussing high end digital front ends, please carry on! Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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