Network Attached DAC?

Dmi -

Of course it is natural to explore solutions - point being that you are hardly the first one - and there is plenty of info. I particulatly suggest Audio Asylums PC forum = much more active then this one...

As far as Ethernet enabled DAC - you have a mixed metaphor there. The communications protocol has nothing to do with whether a device uses SPDIF or not. The issue is how the signal leaves the termination point of the carrier and enters the DAC for processing. (No different from how a a traditional transport uses a SPDIF to get to an external DAC) It could be 802.11, Bluetooth, Toslink or infrared for that matter as long as there is sufficient bandwidth.

The problem seems to be that though I2S is clearly a better format to SPDIF, the great majority of the big name "good CD player and DAC" manufacturers can't be bothered to implement it. Perhaps this is why the sonic signature is so consistent?

If you want to eliminate SPDIF from the chain, (as previous.y noted an important but not the most important step) the only solution that I am aware of is to go USB to I2S. There are three vendors working in this space:

Scott Nixon with the USCTD - a low cost USB>I2S version of his long running tube DAC

Steve Nugent at Emprirical Audio - does major mods adding I2S circuitry etc

Gordon Rankin at Wavelength - with the Brick and then the Cosecant

Finally I highly recommend Vinnie Rossie at Redwine Audio who recently introduced a modded Olive

Well, may be I was unclear. Of course I2S is better, but in our reality it's virtually unavailable, let's take DIY and mods out of the scope.

What makes a difference is whether you have a separate converter connected to DAC through SPDIF only(!), or you managed to squeeze it into the same box, such as USB DAC. In the latter case, even if you use SPDIF internally, you have all the possibilities to embed a word clock link, thus eliminating the major drawback of SPDIF.
Just a short signal path in controlled environment makes jitter levels even lower.

So delivering the data straight to the dac makes life easier regardless of I2S availability.

Oh - so you know I2S is better - so if you are really dedicated to buying the ultimate why are you dismissing gear using it out of hand?

If you want cutting edge you cannot summarily dismiss the modders - unless you want to wait an indefinite period of time for some big name brand to come out with the same things priced accordingly. Remember these are the same guys who are busy selling you jittery SPDIF right now...

I have to say I don't get your point here - you have now started another thread asking for the exact same information - but you don't seem to be willing to accept the information you are being given - it is very simple - there is precious little being done in this space.

PC Audio is a new world based on global standards and readily available hardware that is all plug and play. A top of the line DAC chip is a dollar in quantity. No one is going to build to your standards unless there is a global demand for it, they are a DIYer or a modder.

It's got precious little to do with the size of the box. Either it has SPDIF or it doesn't. Either is uses I2S or it doesn't. And most of all - either it fits your budget and sounds good to you or it doesn't.

So let's leave out the hunt for unobtanium

Who said I want the ultimate? :) I never did. I want the optimal - quality, design, time, and money wise. At this moment mods don't fall into this category for me, sorry. Also, with correct design SPDIF can work pretty well, Benchmark DAC-1 is an example. You might be interested to read this: http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=78848&page=7&pp=15&highlight=benchmark , pay attention on the posts by jsiau.

In the another thread I'm asking more general quesiton, and trying to get... well... alternative opinions. I respect yours, but I generally disagree with it.

Have you seen Mediabox MB-200? As it designed, its Audiophile edition should better Squeezebox by far. At this moment they're too buggy, but I guess this is just a matter of time.