digital front end to rival best vinyl?

Hello Crna39:

"...Playback Designs MPS-5... it will accept a direct DSD signal via ST-optical. Hi-rez PCM and DSD..."

Are you sure - I looked at their agent web site: http://www.bluelightaudio.com/playback_designs.html
and it does not say a word abou it.

Thank you
Rafael

Koegz
I purchased my own parts and built my own computer awhile ago. It is a XP with 4 gigs (only 3gigs seen by XP system),quadcord at 2.40Ghz, raid 10 with 3 Tbs X2 of hd space for movies, DVD/CD burner, M audio 24/192 soundcard, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB display and a MyHDTuner 130 card.
I am adding another raid controler so I can add more HD space for music. I figure another raid 10 with 2 X 6TB. I have to remove the MYHDcard to do this but I never use the turner anyway. That will free up 2 slots so who knows I may add another raid controler. Hard drive are cheap now. I am also changing the M audio to a LynxStudio audio card.

The best part is my wife is letting me move my computer from the sound room to the sitting room next to the closset where my stereo equipment is. I purchased a very quiet computer case but all those HD's may get louder than I can stand. I have to punch a hole into the closet and change out some cables to the eqipment. My mouse & keyboard are Blue tooth. I do have to run a video and usb cable back to where the monitor pantry door is and I am all set.
BTW a raid 10 configered controller will setup 6 2TBs Hard Drives into 2 mirrored 6TBs of hd space and write to both at the same time so back is done at the same time.

What about the Linn DS range?

Concept is to have no moving parts in the player itself - no hard disks, no CD transport. It has a network port and a DAC (or two, as you go up the range). Someone mentioned the Slim Devices Transporter, or the Modright fettled version, which works on the same principle.

Key thing with this design is the elimination of jitter-prone connections. Using ethernet (wired or wireless, though wireless can be unreliable), data is pulled down to the player well ahead of when the DAC needs it, and conversion to PCM stream happens right next to the DAC. No need to worry about any clock discrepancies between computer and DAC. Also no interference from computers or hard drives, which can be kept elsewhere.

Never heard one myself, but very highly thought of. Received wisdom is that each of these Linn sources better the CD player in the range above. Very probably going to get one soon.

4musica4410 Naim HDX is a music organizer, what dac was it using when you heard it? any new thoughts out there? still considering dcs heard from many owners who love them. my concern is that something less costly will come out and beat it up, any views or knowledge of future better options? i mean they are practiclly giving away older dcs's. thanks

Koegz et al:
The Naim HDX has an internal DAC that works just fine, but you also have the option to use an external Naim or other DAC. I heard the HDX most recently at "Naim Night" at Don Better's home and that time he was using a Naim external DAC. Absolutely stunningly musical. Again, the best digital source I have ever heard - by far. Add an iTouch for complete remote control and you are all set! Can't wait to get one!