My system consists of MacMini with external 1TB drive, Apple Express (Wi-Fi receiver on my network), Benchmark DAC1 (D/A converter with volume control) and power amp. I rip CDs, using free "MAX", to ALAC format (Apple Lossless Audio Codec). I use Itunes to organize and play albums. As long as you send all the bits ("bit perfect") nothing on this side (computer, software etc.) makes any difference. Music data is sent in packets to wireless receiver (Airport Express) that recreates timing producing S/Pdif stream going into DAC. Up to this point music was just data thus had no timing but now it becomes digital music stream in S/Pdif format. It is important that bits in this stream are recognized in D/A converter in exact time intervals. Any uncertainty in time converts to noise on the analog side. It is called Jitter. Jitter at this point is the only thing that can affect sound. After conversion you get analog outputs of your DAC and connect to amplifier.
Reducing time jitter of the S/Pdif stream is the most important thing. You can achieve it by using good wireless receiver (Airport Express is not horrible but it is not great either), reclocker or jitter suppressing DAC (like my Benchmark DAC1). Reclocker, that you can install later, will give you better jitter suppression than DAC and will make you more flexible with your choice of DACs. Think of reclocker as buffer that corrects moments of transistions.
I don't use reclocker, happy with suppression of my Benchmark DAC1, but you can find few of them on the market. One of them is manufactured by Empirical Audio. Steve Nugend of Empirical Audio is very knowledgeable and active on this forum.
In spite of bits coming to DAC in exactly same intervals (no jitter) DAC itself might create jitter when noise is present since transtions from one level to another take time (uncertian threshold). Because of that you should use power supply filters and good shielding on the cables. My DAC has 3 switchable digital inputs. I have my CDP and TV connected to two others.
Reducing time jitter of the S/Pdif stream is the most important thing. You can achieve it by using good wireless receiver (Airport Express is not horrible but it is not great either), reclocker or jitter suppressing DAC (like my Benchmark DAC1). Reclocker, that you can install later, will give you better jitter suppression than DAC and will make you more flexible with your choice of DACs. Think of reclocker as buffer that corrects moments of transistions.
I don't use reclocker, happy with suppression of my Benchmark DAC1, but you can find few of them on the market. One of them is manufactured by Empirical Audio. Steve Nugend of Empirical Audio is very knowledgeable and active on this forum.
In spite of bits coming to DAC in exactly same intervals (no jitter) DAC itself might create jitter when noise is present since transtions from one level to another take time (uncertian threshold). Because of that you should use power supply filters and good shielding on the cables. My DAC has 3 switchable digital inputs. I have my CDP and TV connected to two others.