Recently when DirecTV added Pandora I tried an Arcam irDAC to see if I could improve on the sound. I didn't notice any real discernible improvements nor differences that warranted the purchase. Both my dealer and I agreed that the quality level of signal provided thru the DirecTV receiver was produced at it's maximum capability thru the internal DAC of the receiver.
That said, I cannot vouch for the results that maybe achieved employing a higher quality DAC such the ARC. I have since bought a Sonos and am saving and researching a better DAC for use with it, but I have come to the conclusion that the DirecTV box performs at it's optimum through the analog outputs. Of course as suggested, try it and please report back what your results reveal. I would love to be proven wrong and maybe add this as a source when I buy my DAC.
That said, I cannot vouch for the results that maybe achieved employing a higher quality DAC such the ARC. I have since bought a Sonos and am saving and researching a better DAC for use with it, but I have come to the conclusion that the DirecTV box performs at it's optimum through the analog outputs. Of course as suggested, try it and please report back what your results reveal. I would love to be proven wrong and maybe add this as a source when I buy my DAC.