Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

The real solution is using wired Ethernet instead of USB. This is a solution that makes the computer and its power unimportant. Cabling is unimportant. Even the playback software should in theory be unimportant, but I feel that it will be. This is why I am working on this solution now.

All of my USB interfaces will be upgradable to wired Ethernet LAN interfaces.

This is reason I use wired ethernet via DLNA for years.

11-05-14: Paul79
Steve, I am finding that the Ethernet cables are important, the supplies for the router and NAS are important, as well as the hard drive in my setup. FE, SSD are more clear sounding than standard HD's in the NAS.

If the server process caches TRACKS before streaming to the DAC, then only ethernet cables between computer to dac is important.

I find replacing generic with AQ ethernet cable made a nice improvement.

Steve,
Totaldac Server/Reclocker, which is an ARM based mini computer running RT Lenux I think, with optimized power supply. This feeds the reclocker (in same chassis) with a USB Cable jumper. AES/EBU output to the DAC.

The NAS and Server are on the LAN ports of the router. This is all controlled with MPD software using Mpad App on Ipad. No homerun Ethernet or internet required.

The Ethernet cable going from NAS to Router is less important than the one going from Router to Server IME, but there is still an improvement even here, with the better Ethernet cable.

The better Ethernet cables provide much greater image focus.

Albeit, this is not as great a difference as different USB Cables make on a USB DAC, but the difference is really there.

Routers make a difference also! Belkin seems to be the best and most efficient here. I have Hynes supplies running the NAS and Router (12V) and the difference these made was unbelievable.

I use the Belkin AC1200 DB, and the Qnap HS-210 Dual Bay Fanless NAS with Crucial M550 1tb SSD's

So it all still matters I am finding, at least with this setup, but once dialed in, it has been quite revelatory for the sound here.

How you guys post so quick? Mine sometimes take over a day to show up......

Paul79 - that is a bit disconcerting to hear. I'm hoping it will not be the case with my interface. I did not galvanically isolate because Ethernet is coupled with magnetics....
Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Ya, I hear ya. Hard for me to believe when I started all this, but tuning is necessary to get the best results. I to was of the mind frame that with the packet correction and retry, the digital source would not matter. Not so!!

I will say that I could never get a computer or a Mac to sound like what I have going here. The transparency and focus is really unbelievable.