IMHO, you could accomplish the same thing by getting rid of the DAC and the Transport, and getting a good tubed CDP, such as the Audio Aero Capitole II, and running it direct into the amp. (Since you are not running any other sources, why spend the money on a preamp?) This is a great cdp, IMHO, (I wish I had the money to get one!), as its sound is as close to analog (i.e. vinyl) as any cdp I have ever heard. My friend has one, and it sounds incredible.
He and/or I have compared it to some really good cdps, such as the Marantz (I forget which model number), the Esoteric DV50 (good, but not great), the Opus 21 (Great, but not incredible - This is what I own, btw!), and we are now comparing it to the Ayre C-5xe. Initial indications, (from my friend, but not me, yet!) is that the Ayre, while a great universal cdp, is still not quite as good as the AA Capitole II is on Redbook. (I hope to get over to my friends to listen to this in direct comparision myself in the next week or two.)
I will point out that both my friend and I consider vinyl to be superior to digital is all its formats, so that may color our taste in how we prefer our CDPs to sound. (So take that into account.)
My two cents worth.
He and/or I have compared it to some really good cdps, such as the Marantz (I forget which model number), the Esoteric DV50 (good, but not great), the Opus 21 (Great, but not incredible - This is what I own, btw!), and we are now comparing it to the Ayre C-5xe. Initial indications, (from my friend, but not me, yet!) is that the Ayre, while a great universal cdp, is still not quite as good as the AA Capitole II is on Redbook. (I hope to get over to my friends to listen to this in direct comparision myself in the next week or two.)
I will point out that both my friend and I consider vinyl to be superior to digital is all its formats, so that may color our taste in how we prefer our CDPs to sound. (So take that into account.)
My two cents worth.