@wuwulf , To answer your question, going in and out a digital at 24/192 is invisible. But, after my music starts out in the digital domain on my computers hard drive. So, there is only one step for half my collection. All modern music with few exceptions is recorded and processed digitally. Then the question becomes does music that is recorded digitally but provided analog in PVC still sound as good as music that remains digitized until the very end of the chain. I personally think that is a silly argument to have.
The difference in imaging when I bypass the processor is obvious to everybody. The difference in going back and forth between analog and 24/192 is not noticeable by anyone. I would think that answers your question. It is unfortunate that more audiophile will not share in this experience. They are just digital phobic and anything I can say about the subject apparently means nothing. Their loss.
Another interesting subject is that because I know what the sound of a perfectly flat system is I can listen to other systems and know right away where they are off. I know of only one system that was close. In most cases they will be too bright with boosted mid bass and no real low end below 100 Hz.
The difference in imaging when I bypass the processor is obvious to everybody. The difference in going back and forth between analog and 24/192 is not noticeable by anyone. I would think that answers your question. It is unfortunate that more audiophile will not share in this experience. They are just digital phobic and anything I can say about the subject apparently means nothing. Their loss.
Another interesting subject is that because I know what the sound of a perfectly flat system is I can listen to other systems and know right away where they are off. I know of only one system that was close. In most cases they will be too bright with boosted mid bass and no real low end below 100 Hz.