@bigkidz thanks, I may do that thanks!
Along those lines, I’d like to update this thread for future generations of audiophiles looking to build a quality home system that will rely entirely on digital sources, who want to avoid an aneurism or divorce (or both in my case).
One thing I am realizing is that my initial instinct to look at the DAC/Amp stage first was probably a good one. My (future) system is going to be entirely digital up to the DAC/AMP or Integrated AMP stage. The rathole that is USB networked audio, is IMO just that. The machinations that this industry has gone through to make USB transport audiophile quality is really dysfunctional IMO.
My sources are going to either be locally stored files on a music server or streamed content from Tidal/Qobuz/AMZN, period. I will not have an analog source in my system now or likely in the future.
Because my sources will be entirely digital and streamed across WAN/LAN the obvious means of transport are ethernet, duh.
With this absolute in mind, I need to refresh my initial question. What are my best options for (ethernet enabled) DAC/Amp combo or Integrated Amp (ethernet input enabled) in the sub $15K range (new). Must admit the Hegel is looking much more attractive at this point.
Along those lines, I’d like to update this thread for future generations of audiophiles looking to build a quality home system that will rely entirely on digital sources, who want to avoid an aneurism or divorce (or both in my case).
One thing I am realizing is that my initial instinct to look at the DAC/Amp stage first was probably a good one. My (future) system is going to be entirely digital up to the DAC/AMP or Integrated AMP stage. The rathole that is USB networked audio, is IMO just that. The machinations that this industry has gone through to make USB transport audiophile quality is really dysfunctional IMO.
My sources are going to either be locally stored files on a music server or streamed content from Tidal/Qobuz/AMZN, period. I will not have an analog source in my system now or likely in the future.
Because my sources will be entirely digital and streamed across WAN/LAN the obvious means of transport are ethernet, duh.
With this absolute in mind, I need to refresh my initial question. What are my best options for (ethernet enabled) DAC/Amp combo or Integrated Amp (ethernet input enabled) in the sub $15K range (new). Must admit the Hegel is looking much more attractive at this point.