Try to avoid duplicate DA Conversion with USB drive to Amplifier direct

Unless your DAC is not high quality, i suggest using your digital-out from your CD player to either a separate high-quality DAC or to the DAC module in your Integrated amp, if you prefer that. The decision to rip all or part of your CD collection to lossless files on a computer or network server should be a separate question. Having your collection available on selection from your PC or MAC is very convenient.

Thanks for the suggestion Chenry! Connecting the digital-out from my run-of-the-mill and old CD player to the DAC input of the Arcam SA20 amplifier is something I should try before acquiring a newer and better CD player. Consolidating the CD collection to a single file is also a worth-while but separate project as you pointed out. BTW, just realized the USB port at the back of my Arcam SA20 is for software update only, so has a very limited purpose.