10 grand - what set up would you recommend?

[Madra]

I would consider the following:

- high end NAS running Roon Core and storing your music.

- DCS network bridge, Roon Ready, network in, digital out. 

- Ipad Pro as control point.

 

you will end up with one additional  box in your rack; and no extra reclockers, isolators, power supplies needed.

this should also be South of 10k$

[Madra]

I read somewhere that the DCS bridge will be able to output via USB with a forthcoming  firmware update.

A Usb solution generally requires upgraded supplies, clocks... resulting in multiple boxes and cables. I find something like the DCS bridge to provide a more elegant solution.

[Madra]

I missed that usb limitation. Thanks for the update.

that said, I would not bother with USB if I can have a good SPDIF signal. 

 

[Madra]

29 minutes ago, BigAlMc said:

 

I think it comes down (to a large extent anyway) what input the Ops DAC performs best with. 

 

Sure thing. This hobby is all about component matching. There are no universal solutions.