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How to get into high end digital? (Feeding a DAC)

I am looking primarily at the Schitt Yggdrasil or the Topping D90.
  • How does one feed those?
  • I am assuming any sort of CD transport would output the bit stream?
  • or… they get saved to file and played from some media player into the DACs.

Some example of what is commonly done would be great.

The system currently consists of:
  • TT —> Audio Research PH2
  • An old Nakamichi 5 disk CD player
  • TV
  • Audible Illusions line stage (New tunes on the way, but it still sound OK to me with the old tube in it)
  • Prima Luna (with GoldenLion and TS KT-120 one the way… and I might I’ll get the VTL mono blocks 100w/ch serviced)
  • Vandy 2C and Vandy sub

I also have a Home Theatre pre, which is Roon capable, on the way… So that maybe does some of this for me as well? 

But to be totally honest, the digital side is a bit of mystery to me.
I have always thought we plug in a CD player and the signal comes out. (Maybe with some nuance in DACs, clock jitter, and filtering to separate the higher end from the lower end products.)
holmz

Showing 3 responses by kennyc

kennyc
1,831 posts
 
@holmz
It’s difficult to understand what you are targeting when your OP says “high end digital” (what does this mean to you?) and it appears you have not stated a budget.  
Generally speaking, digital audio playback requires a server(where music files stored)> streamer(transportation/delivery of music files) > DAC (translates files to an audio signal).  If you want to spin SACD/CDs, you’ll also need a transport.

A CD player has both a transport and DAC built in.  In high-end audio, for best performance it is generally better to separate the functions to better isolate components from vibrations and electrical noise but costs more in casework and additional cables.  Also, usually a DAC+transport is significantly sonically better than a CD player unless you spend considerable $ for a higher quality player.  For greater flexibility (upgrades), better performance, and lower cost, most high-end digital systems have a stand alone DAC vs a CD player.
kennyc
1,831 posts
 
@holmzn
In high end audio, stand alone DACs typically perform significantly better than a DAC that is bundles with an preamp/amp.  You have to go up the $ chain to get a inbuilt DAC to sound as good as a standalone such as a Hegel.  Often built-in DACs are made to a cost point and convenience rather than to emphasize performance, therefore not designed to compete with stand alone DACs.  I suspect your AVR built-in DAC will not be to the level of even a Yggy, and maybe your insistence on using the AVR's DAC may seem opposite to some as a step backwards to box store sound.  But if you are satisfied with the results, great for you! - you saved $.

5 years ago, I decided to do in-depth audio component research on building my first high end analog+digital system. Seeing you're on hold until you evaluate the AVR sonics, I'll also wait on product suggestions. 

BTW $10k is a generous budget relative to your system, you can easily spend less to achieve good sonic results.  
kennyc
1,831 posts
 
@lbarbish
Your question is off the OP topic which is generally frowned upon - you’d be much better served by opening a new thread with your inquiry
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