File format, software and settings?

Use dbpoweramp for PC or XLD for Mac:

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/computer-audio/

(no advertising)

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Timlub - have you tried JRiver with Jplay? How about XXhighend?

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Timlub - did you try Jriver with Kernel Streaming or Wasapi?

I think probably XXHighend might be the best one out there for PC now based on feedbacks.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

"what do I need Jriver with Jplay for?"

To achieve good playback quality on a PC. WMP will not cut it. You could also try Foobar2000 or XXhighend.

dbpoweramp should rip to .wav format, and use Accurate Rip on the web for verification.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Timlub - are you using an active preamp in your system? If so, this will reduce or mask many of these performance gains IME.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Any preamp will do it. Replace it with a transformer line-stage or buffer if you want to improve things significantly.

BTW, I use Coda amps in my HT setup.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio