NAS connected digital streamer with digital out?

If you are assuming that you are in the minority because you want to use an external DAC, I'd have to say that you are wrong.

I any case, I suppose your options would greatly depend upon the amount of money that you want to throw at this.

Many here run a Squeezebox Touch. It's cheap, it can sound very good, can handle high res files up to 24bit 192khz, and is compatible with a wide range of file formats (which most of the "higher end" models aren't).

Although it is a bit quirky on occasion, it is a very good bang for the buck. For what its worth, the Touch is on Computer Audiophile's list of suggested hardware. I run mine pulling files off of an NAS and really like the results that I get.

Tonyangel,

You have convinced me. Seems like there are a set of"setup" mods that turn off the wireless functions and others, then I notice CI Audio has an upgraded power supply. Do you use any of these?

At the same time, I am going to listen to this Aurender unit. Seems like it gets a lot of buzz. I really want the Aes/ebu output! Though a high price to pa for such an ioption. My experience with transports is that it makes a difference.

Transporter or Touch.

You can run the server-side software on several NAS, without need for a PC. Many do.

You need some facility with computers, or a friend with such. Nothing major, but some.

If you do go with a Logitech product in conjunction with an NAS and plan to run the server software on the NAS, just keep in mind that the software system requirements do apply for the NAS. When shopping for an NAS, I'd get one with at least a 1.5ghz processor and at least 256mb of ram, with 512mb being better.

You are not a minority in using an external DAC. Linn Akurate DS (the new version) has S/PDIF (BNC) digital output. There is an option to completely bypass the upsampling within Linn DS and just extract raw digital music data and feed to your DAC (do the upsampling at the external DAC). Or, you can setup the DS to output fixed sample rate of 88/96kHz as one option or fixed sample of 176/192kHz as another option.

I am currently feeding the 'raw' output from Akurate DS and upsampling it using an external DAC and getting phenomonal results. All my music is in FLAC format in a NAS - I am using Linn's (very user friendly) Kinsky control software to stream data via TwonkyMedia server (laptop, iPhone, iPad etc. to control the DS).

Akurate is a more expensive option than Linn Majik DS or Sneaky. But I think the Majik and Sneaky come with S/PDIF (RCA) co-axial version and I prefered the BNC since it sounded better than RCA. Unfortunantely, Linn does not manufacture DS units with AES/EBU digital output or a streamer only unit (without a built-in DAC). Hope this info helps...