Coax or USB between transport and DAC?

If you're using USB, your source is a computer, and quality here depends in a big way on the USB implementation. Poor USB circuits at the DAC, when fed from a laptop, will get beaten by coax coming out of a decent CD transport. In my experience, most USB DACs under $1000 are limited to 16/48 over USB, and have poor implementation. To get really good sound, you need a decent USB/SPDIF converter, in most cases, unless you're spending over $1000 on the DAC. Suggestions on a DAC-only USB solution? Benchmark DAC-1 USB and Wyred for Sound DAC1 or 2 is where I would start.
I bought a PS Audio DLIII, and the laptop-DAC path via USB could not compete with my Denon changer as a transport. I bought a Vlink and the Jplay plug-in, now the sound is a little forward, but I have a wider soundstage, better depth, more detail. Planning on upgrading the converter.

I doubt your Pioneer transport can do USB? USB is only for computer sources and works very well or very poorly depending on the design of the DAC. Coax or toslink is what you'd be considering. Either can work very well.

Audiofreak32, CDs are 16 bit and ripping them at 24 bit will not give you any benefit. Then, IMHO, FLAC is the way to go if you want to manage the library in a convenient way because WAV doesn't support the tags.

Katylied,

Ripping at 24 bit makes a significant difference. Have you heard a 24/96 or 24/192 WAV or FLAC file off a LINN DS? There are not many CD players made that will compete. The key is eliminating the transport all together. They are comparing a LINN Akurate DS to CD players in excess of $20k.