Coax or USB between transport and DAC?

If you were to buy a Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2, it has an asynchronous USB connection and built-in volume control (as well as many in's and out's)... connected USB direct from any PC or laptop will kill any COAX connection you try. Forget the transport idea completely. Rip all your CDs as 24/96 or 24/192 WAV or FLAC, it will sound far better than using any CD player. I had a DAC-2 but recently upgraded to a LINN Akurate DS, no more discs!!!

Katylied,

Ripping at 24 bit makes a significant difference. Have you heard a 24/96 or 24/192 WAV or FLAC file off a LINN DS? There are not many CD players made that will compete. The key is eliminating the transport all together. They are comparing a LINN Akurate DS to CD players in excess of $20k.

I have found that the 24/192 files do sound better than lesser bitrates when played on my DS. Again, a real world listening test vs. a technical explanation from an engineer. I have an engineer friend that also told me that it is not possible for an LP to sound better than a CD.

If you are saying that by ripping at 24/96k or 24/192k FLAC or WAV, then sending those files into the DS, will result in a "lesser" sound quality or "more lossy", I will have to disagree. I was told that ANYTHING you send into any DS model, it will decide what to to best and do it (the non-technical" response).

Both LINN dealers in Arizona (one being Steve Carroll from LINN, the other Kurt Kenobbie who has been selling LINN for 25 years) would say to rip at least 24/96k FLAC or higher.