How to get into high end digital? (Feeding a DAC)

The OP finally gave us a budget—apparently up to 10K—after multiple requests to do so in the past week.  He wants his music “not to sound like it came from a CD player”.  He has a tt from Audio Research.  I have no idea what that costs, but I haven’t seen AR equipment at WalMart recently.  He is looking at DACs—the most important determinant of digital sound—that range from 8% to 25% of his total budget, and probably less than his tt.  He has now decided that an AVR will meet his needs.    IMO he should keep buying lps from Barnes and Noble that cost $50 each and usually are digital files that have been embedded in a slab of petroleum.
  Although I feel like this is an exercise in futility, I will share what I do. I have a DAC3 from Bryston.  I use a Melco N100 as a NAS/Player.  I rip my CDs with a Melco 100 ripper/disc transport.  The music sounds the same to me whether played from the transport or the N100.  It is simply the best sound that I have ever had, much more detailed and open than using my Oppo 105 or a Sony 5100 as a transport into the same DAC.  The Melco/DAC combo can probably be had for 6K.  Another $5 for a decent app controls the whole thing from a phone or tablet and allows Tidal/Qobuz integration and Internet Radio.
  All that ask from the OP is that before he issues some proclamation on the merits of digital vs analog is that he not compare apples to oranges.  Don’t compare your Neiman 
Marcus analog rig to a Costco digital setup.  Otherwise, good luck
  

@mahler123 I was asking for input, but your tretice seems like I have offended you?

@holmz                 
              Your Thread Title and OP make it very clear that you are inquiring and looking to have a input to help improve your understanding of the requirements.
If that is being shown as difficult to embrace by a contributor, it is not really something to be concerned about.
A more compatible Mentor will show up.      

@holmz
Your Thread Title and OP make it very clear that you are inquiring and looking to have a input to help improve your understanding of the requirements.
If that is being shown as difficult to embrace by a contributor, it is not really something to be concerned about.
A more compatible Mentor will show up

Maybe there is some light in there?
(As it looks like my near term solution is close to what he/she is doing.)

• Just I will rip them using a MacBook
  
• The Melco equivalent will start as what is in the AVR
  
• The $5 app would be Roon.
  
• I’ll defer the DAC for now, but will see if I can come out of the AVR optically into an R2R DAC.
  

I will share what I do. I have a DAC3 from Bryston. I use a Melco N100 as a NAS/Player. I rip my CDs with a Melco 100 ripper/disc transport. The music sounds the same to me whether played from the transport or the N100. It is simply the best sound that I have ever had, much more detailed and open than using my Oppo 105 or a Sony 5100 as a transport into the same DAC. The Melco/DAC combo can probably be had for 6K. Another $5 for a decent app controls the whole thing from a phone or tablet and allows Tidal/Qobuz integration and Internet Radio.

He has a tt from Audio Research. I have no idea what that costs, but I haven’t seen AR equipment at WalMart recently.

The phonostage is the AR. The TT is a SOTA, which is sorta like a CD transport, and the phono stage is akin to what a DAC is doing.

Well I don’t often shop at Walmart, but I suspect you are correct.

All that ask from the OP is that before he issues some proclamation on the merits of digital vs analog is that he not compare apples to oranges. Don’t compare your Neiman Marcus analog rig to a Costco digital setup. Otherwise, good luck

You’re reading into this as being some attack on your digital system.
But it is not about you.

Obviously I am comparing the Bestbuy CD player to the analogue.
Those are the two sources in the living room so there is not a lot else to A/B against each other.

@holmzn
In high end audio, stand alone DACs typically perform significantly better than a DAC that is bundles with an preamp/amp.  You have to go up the $ chain to get a inbuilt DAC to sound as good as a standalone such as a Hegel.  Often built-in DACs are made to a cost point and convenience rather than to emphasize performance, therefore not designed to compete with stand alone DACs.  I suspect your AVR built-in DAC will not be to the level of even a Yggy, and maybe your insistence on using the AVR's DAC may seem opposite to some as a step backwards to box store sound.  But if you are satisfied with the results, great for you! - you saved $.

5 years ago, I decided to do in-depth audio component research on building my first high end analog+digital system. Seeing you're on hold until you evaluate the AVR sonics, I'll also wait on product suggestions. 

BTW $10k is a generous budget relative to your system, you can easily spend less to achieve good sonic results.