what are the Best Direct to amps Digital Players ?

Hi Audiolabyrinth,
At first, I found you a bit annoying, then I found you a bit hilarious, then I found you to be, like myself, a bona fide audio nutcase. And there is no cure for that for the both of us.
And because we share this last trait, I would like to offer my most humble suggestion to alleviate your conundrum.
You already have a fantastic Krell power amp. So, why not go all Krell to optimise the CAST connection? Buy a Krell Cipher CD/SACD player new($10k list, if I am not mistaken) but get a used Krell pre-amp to go with your power amp. Sell your super expensive Tara IC to be replaced with CAST cables that won't cost an arm and a leg. You should be in sonic nirvana with this all Krell-and-CAST setup.
Cheers!

Hi Audiolabyrinth,
At first, I found you a bit annoying, then I found you a bit hilarious, then I found you to be, like myself, a bona fide audio nutcase. And there is no cure for that for the both of us.
And because we share this last trait, I would like to offer my most humble suggestion to alleviate your conundrum.
You already have a fantastic Krell power amp. So, why not go all Krell to optimise the CAST connection? Buy a Krell Cipher CD/SACD player new($10k list, if I am not mistaken) but get a used Krell pre-amp to go with your power amp. Sell your super expensive Tara IC to be replaced with CAST cables that won't cost an arm and a leg. You should be in sonic nirvana with this all Krell-and-CAST setup.
Cheers!

Audiolabyrinth,
I have always been enamored of Krell amps. The Krell products I have owned in the past are the junior integrated amps, the 300i and its progeny the 400. The reason why I never upgraded to the bigger amps is that they are pure Class A, which means putting out a lot of heat and at the same time emptying my wallet for the monthly electricity bill even at idle, which could otherwise go towards buying more music.
I have not heard the Cipher but the Evo model before it sounded gorgeous in the showroom. The Stereophile review of the Cipher awarded it Class A as you already know.
You can just get the Cipher with the stock Krell CAST cables. The CAST connection with a used Krell KCT preamp(also very well received by the pros) may just be the ticket to audio nirvana. Well, it's either that or sonic hell but I very much doubt it could ever be the latter.
Cheers!

Audiolabyrinth,
You should concentrate your resources on the main system first. The 400 is better but I think the 300i is good enough for a second system. I still have fond memories of it. It was my first Krell amp and it was awesome, being detailed but warm at the same time.