Bluemax,
thanks for the response. For the most part, I'm aware of those possiblities, and, there are firewire gizmos mostly designed for people who are recording and mixing, and most come with a DAC which you may or may not want to bypass by way of a digital out.
The - PC/NAS > Wireless router > laptop > USB to SPDIF convertor > DAC > amp. option is interesting. I'm actually thinking of having a computer (hopefully a very quiet one) next to my stereo, so the wireless router and laptop steps would be superfluous. There wouldn't be much of a difference would there, as long as the computer and hard drives are very quiet?
In any case, I am curious if anyone has tried to make sound comparisons between the various paths by which digital information can be transferred to a DAC. (or comparing a harddrive transport to a cd transport)
The great IC debate seems to have settled into two static camps of those who believe and those who refuse to try.
I couldn't participate because I live in Spain, but some of you could get together and do some bbqing and wire switching and blind tests in this realm, I'd be happy to reap the benefits of your insights though sad to miss out on the fun!
Cheers!