I have a Zalman silent music server running Windows 7 Pro 64 bit with the Lynx AES16 PCI card feeding a Berkeley Alpha DAC. This set-up significantly bested by previous CD/Pre reference player.
I can assure you that the buzz about the Berkeley is not just over how it handles hi-rez files, but also how it renders regular CDRB 16/44.1 material. If you do want to play hi-rez files then you do need a sound card that can do 24/192 which the AES16 supports.
Installing and configuring the AES16 is very simple, as is most sound cards these days. In terms of a software player if you're after the best possible sound quality I would highly recommend XXHighEnd.
I did not audition the Weiss DAC and I'm sure it is very good as well. I think the fact that both Robert Harley and Chris Connaker (host of the Computer Audiophile website) have heard a wide range of DAC's and prefer the Berkeley is significant.
Good luck with your project.
I can assure you that the buzz about the Berkeley is not just over how it handles hi-rez files, but also how it renders regular CDRB 16/44.1 material. If you do want to play hi-rez files then you do need a sound card that can do 24/192 which the AES16 supports.
Installing and configuring the AES16 is very simple, as is most sound cards these days. In terms of a software player if you're after the best possible sound quality I would highly recommend XXHighEnd.
I did not audition the Weiss DAC and I'm sure it is very good as well. I think the fact that both Robert Harley and Chris Connaker (host of the Computer Audiophile website) have heard a wide range of DAC's and prefer the Berkeley is significant.
Good luck with your project.