What format are most people using, and why?

I own and love the Lynx 2b I have.

I run this direct into my Pass x-150 using balanced connections. It is signifacantly better than my old trans/ dac combo.

I think the nalaog outs are great on the Lynx 2, and if you factor in doing room correction and crossovers from the computer, it can yeild great sound!

Hi dawnrazor-age, is the "Pass x-150" an amp or a pre-amp. If it's an amp, then you must be using the computer for volume control - what media player software are you using?

I prefer this kind of setup due to fewer components in the chain. The specs on the Lynx on Jitter and S/N are pretty good. I hope the sound is not too analytical, though

Plank,

The x-150 is an amp, and yes, I run straight into it from the lynx.

I agree that it does produce a simple chain, and the volume control stigma about losing bits, etc. just doesnt bear out in listening.

THe Lynx sound is a bit hard to describe. It is not analytical at all to my ears, yet it is very detailed, but still very musical. It is also very neutral and clean but still gets the toes tapping.

I use a program called ACXO as a player, since it is designed to offer digital crossovers, and room correction. It is pretty basic in that it was designed to mimic a highend cdp. So it only does .wavs (with cue sheets) and no playlists. But, it will oversample to 96, has ASIO built in, does cover art, crossovers, and room correction. I primarily use it because it is super simple to setup.

http://pcazeles.perso.cegetel.net/acxo.htm

I also use foobar because it is more flexible and handles different formats and playlists...but, is a PITA to configure right...so I haven't really made the transition to foobar. This is an ongoing process.

Overall, I love the computer setup, and the sound quality is much better than my cdp/dac combo, and I am off the upgrade merrygoround.

ALAC - As a Mac guy its a no-brainer; in fact its hard to do it any other way.

And with all due respect to those who "hate" Apple products, iTunes is a powerful solution that seamlessly integrates ripping and tagging with a first rate library manager. It works fine with SBs, iPods, USB etc, is supported by all kinds of interesting third party stuff, is backed by a highly innovative company offering excellent support and continuous upgrades and best of all for some, is free.

That said, there have been some posts discussing some limitations when used in a Win environment - not sure if its a K-Mixer issue or something else... be worth looking into.

dawnrazor-age, Wow! Your setup is amazing.

Your experience on the internal soundcard is very encouraging.

The other option I have been contemplating is using a DAC with a USB input and volume control (PC ->DAC ->Amp), which eliminates the need for a USB/SPDIF converter and a pre-amp. But for now I will go with the Lynx setup.