Hi Lewinskih01,
The Audiophilleo & PSU converter are highly sought after pieces. For the next little while I will be placing my resources on installing WS 2012 and slowly migrate some of the switching power rails with linear power supply. I am undecided to add a USB/Spdif converter or retire the ML combo entirely and get a current DAC with built-in USB and IS2 inputs. Both my ML digital pieces are highly modified. As it stands currently, I like the ML combo sound better than the PC + No. 360 DAC. The PC beats the No.37 transport in many areas. The No. 37 has better in tonal texture; the music has more weight, richness with a more natural sound. I am not saying the PC cannot achieve all those things, it just needs more work.
Best regards,
Norm
Hello Norm.
I seem to recall from another thread you are pursuing WS2012 plus AudioPhil's Optimizer. Very good decision, in my experience!
FWIW, I used a lab-grade (not an audiophile grade) linear PSU and liked the effect a lot. Then I tried batteries straight to my OS SSD, to my PPA USB card, and the effect was comparatively marginal.
Based on that limited experience I'm inclined to suggest you tackle the SPDIF converter vs DAC decision before going nuts on power supply. PS will make an effect, but that might be masked by what you have in the chain downstream. And I believe (and underscore it is a belief since I haven't heard it) the mobo SPDIF out cannot be on par with the rest of your system. And also want to underscore it is because it is a mobo SPDIF rather than an aftermarket card as the Juli@ Cerrot highly speaks about. That would be a low cost alternative too, and would allow you to keep your beloved ML DAC. And maybe later you could compare that to a newer DAC.
I never had the quality CD playing components you have, but my PC transport-based system sounds a lot better than my CD front-end did. I think you shouldn't settle for anything but better sound vs what you have now from CD. You are headed the right direction with the server you put together.