Okay, the Bryston BDP-2 reminds me of Chris Connaker's C.A.P.S. (Computer Audiophile) player. It adds the eSATA option for the external hard drive which I want and upgrades the OS from Linux to Atom. Chris' new version upgrades his C.A.P.S. to Windows 8.
If you have a Firewire DAC (I don't), you can add it to the player. My problem, is that I prefer the sound of my coaxial connection over my USB one in my current setup.
Steve, are you saying that the USB converter makes the difference when using USB, and so then preferable over S/PDIF?
Kenny