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

I think it’s absolutely possible to have the best of both worlds: analog and digital, and enjoy what each does best.

Besides my analog system, I currently use two digital systems. One is a HiFi Rose RS130 connected to a Gustard R30 via I2S. Besides sounding excellent, it also offers a beautiful user experience, both on its built-in screen and on an external monitor.

The other system is sonically superior, although a bit more geek-oriented: a Linux computer running HQPlayer Embedded, doing upsampling and sending 768 kHz PCM files to the Gustard in NOS mode.

It’s impressive how a US$300 software package can compete with DACs that cost many thousands of dollars.

@audio-b-dog 
The software actually costs $350 now. It’s hqplayer (I use the embedded version) and you get more info at signalyst.com

@acrespo 

Thanks for letting me know about hqplayer. I'll look into it when I get my new Meitner MA3i. I am listening to the MA3 and it sounds very good. Very analogue like. But it does not have the crispness of analogue and I'm hoping the upgrade will. Its analogue sound is called "soft," which to my ears means that the tones (notes) are not plagued with the old digital glare, but there is not enough "space" between sounds for the air of analogue. Also, the bass is wooly. It is often quite close to my analogue rig. The upgrade is supposed to fix the "softness," and I'm hoping that gives it the crispness of analogue. Of course, I'm at a loss for exact words to describe what I'm talking about. It is difficult to express things that come through our senses in words.

@audio-b-dog I do envy you for being in a band. I bet the other players help to generate your creativity.

Not in a band, maybe you’re referencing someone else.

As a child, I took parental imposed piano lessons “reluctantly” as I’d rather be kid playing. I’m lining up guitar, ukulele, and further piano lessons when the dust settles from moving, retirement of my spouse, and the independence of my adult triplets - college graduated but now goofed around for a year - got to give them the daddy kick in the pants. 

I do consider myself an expert with the Kazoo 😉

@kennyc 

Sorry for mixing you up with someone else. Kazoo is a great instrument. I'm not sure they use them in bands as much as they used to. I can hear a kazoo in my head, but can't remember which band used them a lot. Maybe the Loving Spoonful? Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks. The Jim Kwesken Jug Band with the lovely Maria Muldair? I age myself.