Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Ketch, that thread is a bear for a novice like me.  I don't fully understand what an optical network is and why I need it.  I don't have any ethernet cable runs in the townhouse. My main system is on the second floor and my bedroom system is on the first floor.  I have a full basement where I'm wanting Comcast (when I get it installed next month or so) to bring everything into the basement as the coax runs are all set up there going to each room in the house. I will most probable have the Comcast modem and router (most likely Apple Time Machine) running in one of the upstairs bedrooms as that will be my hub as the noise won't affect my listening room.  I was hoping to just install the new QNAP 471 NAS with the router and use the Airport Extreme from both systems to the NAS that would host Roon and hopefully HQPlayer.  

I was told that Roon will help the sound quality vs using a local drive (i.e. Aurender or Melco) directly to the DAC and not worrying about my second system as it already streams Tidal so I don't care if it's on a network or not.  I can afford the N100H and possibly even a used N10 Aurender.  The problem is that it won't be Roon and if it's the N100h, I believe it would have to the a usb connection.

If I only care about sq first and I only really need to have my main system being fed, what are your personal thoughts as to which products I should be looking at and how should I set them up?  

Right now I'm seem to have a Melco N1A running as a NAS only (Roon is working hard on trying to get their core to run on the Melco's OS) and then a NUC for Roon and HQPlayer, or an Aureneder directly into the DAC or getting the Qnap and setting it up the way they say to run Roon off of it.  

Anything I've missed so far?  Any thoughts are appreciated.  Matt, what set up are you looking at doing?

Try the Chord DAVE. 

CT- PM me and I will email both you and Matt together. Matt has my email address.

Your goal is to have quality, simplicity, reliability and versatility.

Fiber optic is just an alternative to wired Ethernet. It is much cheaper than moderate priced ethernet cable and it provides galvanic isolation. Like your power lines the Ethernet cable carries other currents that mess up digital electronics, especially the DAC clocks. The switch power supplies are part of this issue.

In your situation, wireless will not have enough range to reliably drop two or more floors. Wireless will limit high resolution files both DSD and PCM. Optical can run adjacent to electrical cable, whereas low voltage cables need to be 18" away, depending on local code. When they cross ideally they would cross at perpendicular angles.

Second option is to have two independent systems: Comcast provides two accounts: two modems and two independent networks. While this may decrease certain noise perse, you would give up versatility and create some redundancy. Although two NAS systems would provide some backup.

To run cable would not be too expensive and you can find someone to do it for you for reasonable price. In your situation, I sense you are running dedicated power. I would run fiber down to your listening room. From there the options are many and easily changed when needed--especially important as digital audio is rapidly evolving.

A newer NAS (not my generation NAS) has the advantage of negating the need of a server or separate CORE processor running ROON. I however do not see a sonic advantage at the moment since your NAS is a large source of electrical pollution. I am also researching HQPlayer and if that program will process files then use UPnP/DNLA type protocol. I am uncertain if a ROON>HQPlayer will process then send by RAAT (Roon Advanced Audio Transport) codec to RAAT capable Ethernet units. My understanding thus far- HQ player will process (by server) and send by USB to a USB dac only. For clarity ROON, RAAT and HQ Player are new to me.

Does the new EMM dac have Ethernet?

I’d rather not distract from the overall thread. I will post any valuable and succinct solutions when appropriate.

There are currently only 4 DAC’s that I would love to hear in my room: DCS Rossini, Trinity DAC, Dual Mono TotalDAC and the Chord DAVE.  If anyone has the ability to help me hear any of these in my listening room please let me know. 

I am going to do some research on the Ethernet solution. I look forward to Ketcham’s email as well. I asked Steve of Empirical Audio and he said that "I just open Jriver and select audio and its there. Nothing more to do".

Regarding the Chord DAVE, it is reported to be exceptional with PCM possibly even setting a new standard regarding its natural recovery of depth and decay. However its performance level with DSD is not at the same level, and to maximize its sound quality requires a reboot of the DAC which takes about 20 seconds. So playlists with a combination of PCM and DSD files are not well suited to optimal playback with the DAVE DAC. For users with all PCM files it may be the ultimate DAC solution.