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New to digital high-end, need help

I'm a long-time audiophile that ripped all my CDs to flac over the past year. I've been listening through Duets/Touch for office and casual use. I have not really had a high-end home system in 6 years. Now I'm building a high-end system that will use a digital/flac source.

I have Aerial 10t speakers and currently looking for a pre/amps (possibly Audio Research or Classe). I'm familiar with the arguments for SS or tubes, etc. I need help with the source/dac/volume control because, after all my research and reading, it feels like I still don't have a clue . . .

1.) I'm using a Squeezebox Touch connected with wifi. At what price point can I expect a DAC to make a dramatic difference? $500? $1,000? $3,000?

2.) I would consider bypassing a preamp/linestage for now and using a DAC with volume control (or similar setup)I use an iPad mini for the Touch remote at this point, but the volume can be finicky and I would like to use the volume control on DAC/preamp to limit the max while using the ipad.

3.) I have read the digital volume controls (such as Touch/iPad??) actually decrease resolution as the volume is decreased. Is this true? Does that mean the Touch volume should always be at 100%?? 75%?

4.) I've heard $60k systems and owned $20k systems (just to provide a reference point). Are digital files successfully used in that level of system? Can they sound as good as a quality CD source? If so, what caliber of equipment is necessary/desirable?

Thanks to anyone that can help me muddle through this process.
128x128amansker
nightfall
133 posts
 
Steve, when you say

"Are digital files successfully used in that level of system? Can they sound as good as a quality CD source?"

Yes and even better than a CD transport. The front-end is the most important thing because jitter in the digital source impacts everything downstream. A good metric for the digital source is $1500 minimum, better to spend $2200.

If you cook-up your own server, it will generally sound better than most OTS servers, with the exception of maybe the Antipodes server. I recommend for you own server to use a 2009 Mac Mini and powered from a Hynes power supply."

Just to be clear, you are recommending using a 2009 Mac Mini, with the Hines power supply as the front end of a digital system, and it can be controlled successfully by an iPad?
amansker's avatar
amansker OP
32 posts
 
Test post due to technical issues with forum.
amansker's avatar
amansker OP
32 posts
 
Sorry about the delayed response. Got busy and over the past week there was a software glitch with the forums and I couldn't post.

All of the info above is GREATLY appreciated. I've had the chance to do some research on the comments and I feel far more informed. I'm a computer geek and lifelong audiophile, but this all seems rather awkward. It is odd seeing all of these companies and technologies I've never heard of. I'm sure they will be continuously changing for another decade or more. On top of this learning curve, my GF wants a turntable and my last knowledge of that technology is from 1977 and a BIC 960. Ha! Thanks for your help.
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amansker OP
32 posts
 
Assuming, down the road, we add a turntable to the system. Are there pre/dacs that allow for analog connections? Everything I see only has inputs for digital.

Do any of the phono amps have xlr outs?

Or is more common to use an actual "preamp" with volume, etc. and run the pre/DAC into the inputs of that?
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Nightfall - yes 2009 Oct Mac Mini. Hynesdesign.com SR5-18.5 supply. I control mine from iPad at times.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
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