I downloaded some of the Linn Hi-res Christmas tracks at their highest resolutions, but I am not sure how best to listen to them. Currently I use a Marantz AVR as my main listening amp/preamp and feed it from an inexpensive external sound card that is 16bit, 44k. For the next few years I will be using the Marantz while I upgrade my speakers, add a subwoofer, and a SET amp before getting to the point of getting a good DAC.
My two options are to get an inexpensive USB DAC say less than $300 or a 24/192 USB-SPDIF converter. I can run analog from the DAC into the Marantz, but if I have the sub inline the analog signal will be digitized. If I use the Converter I can run a Coax in and let the Marantz's DACs and base management do their jobs. Which would technically sound better?
I am leaning towards the converter, since the quality/affordability of DACs are improving rapidly or so it seems. $800 it seems to me will buy a much better DAC in three years than now, right?
