Since nobody is replying, I'll help with what I can:
1. You should consider a USB to SPDIF converter between your laptop and DAC, such as Audiophileo.
2. The Octave will play hi-rez natively up to 24/176, so 24/192 files would need to be played at 24/96. NOS means a file won't be upsampled, regardless of bit depth and sample rate, so whatever goes in gets converted to analog, up to 24/176.
3. I don't know.
I hope this helps some.
1. You should consider a USB to SPDIF converter between your laptop and DAC, such as Audiophileo.
2. The Octave will play hi-rez natively up to 24/176, so 24/192 files would need to be played at 24/96. NOS means a file won't be upsampled, regardless of bit depth and sample rate, so whatever goes in gets converted to analog, up to 24/176.
3. I don't know.
I hope this helps some.