Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Pennsy- read the thread name - "Absolute Top Tier DAC "

So I wanna go pretty damn high!!! 😜

Many system is an ultimate reference in a custom and professionally designed room. My goal is to extract every nuance out of my system I can. There is no limit. Period. And I'm practically there!!!

PS Audio is very good but can't play with the reference level products. A mustang GT is very fast but a Ferrari is in a different league. It's all a matter of extremes. And I crossed the line of insanity years ago!

Ketcham - thanks SO much for your post. That cinched it and I told Steve I'm going for the Ethernet port. Thanks for the advise. 

Im clueless as to how to set up a system Ethernet driven. Can you advise? I have Roon; it'd be awesome if you can make that work. 

Its inconceivable, but I'm just going down today to really listen to my DA2 for the first time. I'll report when I can. It's been THAT busy. 

I am thrilled to see the downside of USB being finally understood and the superiority of the interfaces finally being explored.  USB really sucks.  It really does.  

Thanks for sharing Matt.  I knew how busy you have been and feel badly but you are doing special work for others and that's commendable in a BIG WAY.

I too in recent days have been talked into Ethernet with Roon and possibly HQPlayer.  Not to hijack, but would love to know others thought of HQPlayer also as it's ultimate digital.  

Matt, I have decided (well 90%) to set up a QNAP 471 NAS.  It has the set up on the QNAP site.  The first slot as I said above if for the SSD that runs Roon.  Bay 2 and 3 are for the 6TB storage run in Raid 1. The 4th bay is to be set up to automatically do a weekly back up of the 6TB WD green or red hard drives.  That will all be set up in the room that has the router and then I'll figure out how to install a run directly to the stereo system or I'll do the wireless set up with the Apply extreme deal like I've seen in so many high end audio stores. If someone else has a better idea many of us are more than willing to listen.  Thanks. 

Look at "optical network configurations" under computeraudiophile, network subforum.  Without question, cheaper and provides galvanic isolation.  It is a very long thread so start in chunks toward the end.   Optical Network Configurations

There is also a new thread on how to run Roon from your NAS:   Official Roon Build for Synology and QNAP   A more formal article is forthcoming by Chris C.  

Matt, when you are ready email me and I will help you through that process.  It is no harder than USB setup and in some ways easier.