The best of the DACs

First of all, you have a TERRIFIC vinyl setup with the VPI so I have no doubt that your vinyl sounds the same or better than your digital setup, depending on the recording. Second, your digital setup is no slouch either with the Ayre player, a fine choice and a combo of digital/vinyl that you could never change and remain completely happy.

HOWEVER, a well set up computer streaming to an excellent DAC will kill your existing digital setup, no offense intended of course. Peace.

The gauntlet has been thrown!

Can't wait to see the outcome:>)

I'd suggest something like a Mojo Mac Mini with SSD, filtered DC power input, linear external PSU loaded up with 16GB RAM and Audirvana Plus hooked to a DAC that supports direct and integer mode. I've had good results with a Playback MPS-5 with USB-X and Locus Cynosure USB.

Hi Stringreen,

Generalisation is always a bad thing and especially in audio. But the right DAC with a computer set up well (i.e computers power supply separated from audio system, correct software, playing from RAM etc) should out perform any of the finest CD players. Plus you have the ability to play Hi Rez files which will rival or better your TT.

Then on top of the audio performance you have the convienience of access to all your music immediately. Can't argue with that! Just remember the devil is in the detail. Effort, just as with your TT will pay you back.

Just curious what DACs you've tried? I think it'd be tough to get a DAC to sound close to a good vinyl rig for under 7K. Even with the right component selection, a lot of things can go wrong, adversely affecting sound quality, like setting up the computer to have adequate available resources, the player software, etc.