The best of the DACs

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.

I have a rim drive VPI HRX that I think sounds better then any digital I have tried or heard. I sold an Electrocompaniet EMC 1UP CD player last year because my laptop playback simply sounded better and is more convenient. My laptop has a solid state 520 GB drive with 16 GB ram and Pentium i7 chip. I use JRIVER as the gui and JPLAY for playback. My DAC is PS Audio MK2 Perfectwave dac. I tried & owned other dacs but for me that sounded best in my system.It is beyond me why a CD copied & played back through a computer sounds better then through a CD player but it does. I will never own another CD player.

"better than your vinyl rig", I love guys without a turntable.