kabeer_g

I thought I would also add apogee mini DAC, which is a firewire DAC to list of 3 (Stello, Benchmark and Wavelength)

Chris, I am not 100% sure about whether I am getting bit perfect or not but I think I am. Here is why I say that: a) In windows I cannot control the sound - doesnt matter what I do with sound slider it has no effect on sound level b) I have tried playing files of various resolution > 44.1, 48khz, 96khz, 192 khz and various channels (2,5). My integra receiver always displays the resolution of source material Here is software setup that I have: Under control panel > sounds : I have set Asus digital output as the default device. I am also using J.River media center with WASAPI so that's why I was not sure if there will be any benefit to upgrading soundcard. Ofcourse if I get a USB DAC, that becomes a moot point. But if I don't get a USB DAC and use coaxial output of my sound card, not sure what to do.

First let me tell you over past week I have done over 50 hours of reading on Head-fi. So I am not posting this question simply because I am lazy My current set-up Hardware: Asus Xonar HDAV Deluxe > HDMI > Integra 8.9 Receiver > Totem Speakers Software: 2 channel music: J. River media center in Wasapi model to accomplish bit perfect output Movies: Vista Media center I am looking to upgrade 2 channel sound for music playback. All of my music is in FLAC with some high resolution music (24 bit, 96khz). Here is what I am looking at: DAC: I want to stay under $1000 for a used DAC. Based on all the research, Stello DA100, Benchmark DAC1 & Wavelength seems to be leading candidate 2 Channel integrated amplifier: Bryston B100 SST. Reason I am going for integrated amplifier is because I would continue to use my integra receiver for movie playback. With an integrated amplifier I can supply pre-amp output of my integra to the amplifier. On my amplifier I can switch between output from my sound card or integra receiver depending on whether I am playing music or movies Questions I have are: a) Should I be looking at changing my soundcard? I don't want to spend $800 on Lynx AES 16. What would be your recommendation? b) What DAC would people recommend? c) What else can I do to improve sound quality of music (additional expenditure < $1000 since I am spending quite a bit on amplifier and DAC)