USB DAC with conventional transport ???

Could you use an spdif-usb converter? I have heard good things about them, though acknowledge each time you insert a new component in between 2 existing components, there is a risk of degradation. Nevertheless, it is just a thought, in terms of getting you to where i think you want to be. perhaps you have already investigated? If so, curious as to your findings. thanks.

Lloyd, you may be thinking of USB to S/PDIF converters, or perhaps devices that can convert a S/PDIF signal such that it can be provided TO the USB port of a computer. I'm not sure that a S/PDIF to USB converter, that can EMULATE the USB port of a computer, exists.

Supplying a USB signal to a USB DAC requires that the signal source act as a "host," rather than as a "slave," which means that either it has to be a computer, including CPU, driver software, etc., or it has to emulate one.

I don't know of any transports or converters that are designed to do that, although perhaps some exist that I am not aware of.

Best regards,
-- Al

Thanks, Al...guess you can tell i am only a redbook cd guy with a transport! ;) Only fleeting interest in servers for now. will make sure to post here before i ever do investigate servers properly!