Does anyone have a digital system that is as involving as their analogue front end?

@audphile1 

My ethernet run is 35 feet so high-grade audiophile cable would be expensive. But tell me more about the network filter or isolator. 

BTW, I don't hear any homoginazation on my Pass Labs equipment. My preamp is a newer issue (XP-30) with three boxes, one for power and one for each channel. I replaced an ARC Ref. 3 with it, and it is as good as the Ref. 3 and superior in clarity and clean soundstage. When I say clean, the soundstage might not be as large as the Ref. 3, but it is quite exact in separating and placing instruments. It's very highly reviewed. And, of course, my ultimate test is with well-recorded records which sound amazing on my system. 

@newton_john that’s interesting about gapless and Linn. So even if you enable gapless in jplay settings it’s still a no go?

@audio-b-dog Pass is great stuff. It leans warm. And so is the MA3. Combination of the two can create the type of presentation you’re describing. 
 

As to network filters and isolators, I’m looking to try Matrix Audio SI-1 in the next few months. What this unit can accomplish in your case is provide isolation and enable you to use a shorter, higher quality Ethernet cable. The unit takes copper Ethernet in, converts to fiber internally, reclocks the signal and outputs copper again. 
Here’s a discussion where several users reported improvements. 
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/matrix-audio-si-1-network-isolator?highlight=Matrix%2Baudio

@audphile1 

At present, there is no way to get gapless with jPlay and Linn DSMs. According to jPlay, the problem is that Linn need to add a couple of codes to their firmware. At first, Linn said that this was on their to do list. A couple of years later Linn said that they have no plans to do it. It doesn’t look like it’s ever going to happen. A shame really because jPlay would have been great for me - the best of both worlds - the sound quality of UPnP and the functionality of Roon.

With dBpoweramp Asset UPnP and the Linn App my system has never sounded better streaming. I’d like to make the comparison with vinyl, but my phono stage is away for repair. From memory, it must be a close thing.

@audphile1 

I guess Pass Labs does lean a bit warm, but I wouldn't have anything less warm in my system. They say that Sonus Faber is warm, but these new Olympica Nova speakers can be bright. I've had to play around with the setup to have them sound the way I want them to. 

When I was looking for a phono stage to replace my ARC PH-3, I tried a Lehmann. It was fast and clean and had a great soundstage. I didn't like it, though. I couldn't say anything bad about it, but to me music is not quite so clean. When listening to live music, I don't hear all the instruments so clinically separated.

So, I think Pass is about as clincial as I'll go. I really prefer tubes, but I just don't want the hassle anymore of testing to see which tube blew and replacing tubes. It's a tight fit for my old bod behind my music racks, so I've given up on tubes. My amp was made by a tube amp maker and it has a softer, tube sound. I think I've found the balance that is good for my ear. I can't say it would be everyone. Some people like that Dynaudio and Wilson crispness. I find it dry.