Robert,
Here is my set-up:
* J River 17 to an async USB DAC - get a decent USB cable
* db PowerAmp for ripping CDs - I rip exclusively to FLAC lossless uncompressed - provides more stable metadata and with db PowerAmp now allowing FLAC lossless uncompressed, I can't hear the difference to WAV
* dedicate the laptop in service to the music only
* go to Computer Audiophile http://www.computeraudiophile.com/ and search for JRiver set-up article under "CA Articles" - the article walks you thru setting up JRiver and your laptop to deliver bit perfect output to an async DAC
Good luck.
Brent
Here is my set-up:
* J River 17 to an async USB DAC - get a decent USB cable
* db PowerAmp for ripping CDs - I rip exclusively to FLAC lossless uncompressed - provides more stable metadata and with db PowerAmp now allowing FLAC lossless uncompressed, I can't hear the difference to WAV
* dedicate the laptop in service to the music only
* go to Computer Audiophile http://www.computeraudiophile.com/ and search for JRiver set-up article under "CA Articles" - the article walks you thru setting up JRiver and your laptop to deliver bit perfect output to an async DAC
Good luck.
Brent