[Vincent Kars]

I don't see audio file type specs for the Onkyo

I don't think this matters
The chain is probably
any audio format support by Foobar > LPCM > HDMI

So I expect it to work regardless of the format.

As I am a dBpoweramp fanboy, I of course second to use it as a ripper.
As I am a MusicBee fanboy too, I recommend to have a look here: https://www.getmusicbee.com/

[WGH]

I forgot about HDMI too, probably because my old laptop doesn't have it.

I use HDMI from my main computer into an Outlaw 975 surround processor and it works just fine for audio only programs like radio or podcasts. I usually have to set the processor to Stereo to get any sound.
The laptop sound card HDMI properties may have to be tweaked but it should work.

Adding outboard DAC's like the Dragonfly or stand alone boxes are supposed to sound better.
By the way, what speakers do you have? You could invest $1000's into a digital front end but never hear it if your speakers are old Advent's.

[bigbang]

Yes, I plan on ripping a couple discs to FLAC then trying them with foobar via hdmi. I am quite confident I cannot hear the difference between dacs unless there is a problem with one of them

And Vincent is correct on the chain.

I did see musicbee, however I did not investigate it too much. I may look into that further.

I now have my Sunday planned Thanks all!

[bigbang]

Success!

Thanks for all the input and helping me get things sorted out.

Did a couple test dics with dbpoweramp ripping to flac (that is a quicker process then expected), then playing via foobar (remote control with phone from couch, woo hoo!). Out of hdmi to pre. Sounds great!