rsdofny

I am new to computer audio. It appears that this field is evolving very fast. It is not really ready for prime time and mass adoption. Is there any reasonably priced solution that has an updated USB connection and does not require upsampling? What would be a comparable quality solution cost? Or alternatively, the USB connection which is so common in computer these days do not get the mind share of manufacturers.

I am in the market for a DAC/network media player and know enough about this digital music playback options. I want to have a setup with the best possible sound quality under my limited budget and I only care about MP3/WAV playback. Also, will the music playback in the case of NMP will affected by network traffic? My computer is very closed to my stereo so that I can connect a USB cable to a DAC and use my iPad to control the iTunes/Radio in my computer. Alternatively, I can get a network media player and get my digital music through a wired network. The thing that I am concerned the most is the sound quality. The DACs that I am looking at are Arcam rDAC and Cambridge DacMagic, and the Network players are Cambridge NP30 and Denon DNP720. Should I look at other equipment as well, like a dedictaed power supply? Currently, I have Rotel CD/Rotel Amp and B&W speakers. Thanks for your help.