Finally got around to setting up a music server system. Using a Alienware laptop that's about five years old, configured Foobar 2000 to run as the source. The USB out from the computer runs to a Chord M-Scaler. From there, it either goes to a Devialet 250 Expert Pro (primary), or to a Chord Hugo TT2, which is either a headphone setup, or the TT2 acts a DAC/Preamp out to a pair of 8552 tube amps.
Have to say, been very impressed with the sound from this. The 192 KHz Blue Note files are especially enjoyable. The USB seems subjectively to sound better than the TOSLINK inputs. The music depth, timbre, and time domain all seem to improve with this setup.
I'll be busy ripping CD's for some time to come.
