In the not too distant past I attempted to flesh out my digital front end with a consumer solution here.

My digital front end now "looks" like this:

- generic i5 laptop (hdd replaced with an ssd eliminating noise from spinning platters and a reduced need to run the internal fan)
- 24/192 audio interface with line level I/O bypasses mic pres (usb to laptop)
- internal optical rom drives (x2 dvd burner) used externally (usb to laptop)
- Foobar 2K

PROS:

- plays almost any disc, any format, any resolution
- selective upsampling/resampling
- adjustable buffering
- Rimhill app to control disc spin rate

CONS:

- IT is my day job, would have preferred not to deal with a PC in my 2 channel system
- doesn't play SACD (I only own 2 hybrid SACD's. Not a deal breaker) but will play DSD files

BONUS:

- digital front end doubles as a higher resolution recorder simply by switching apps (Audacity)
- can stream files from just about anywhere: local, home network, internet
- cheap as chips cost of implementation

Take away:

This was just a good time to do it as the readily available technology and cost thereof, makes sense. The total price tag came in well under the price of the Denon... with no funny smell(s). The Denon's warranty period is not impressive at all. If one of my optical roms takes a dive, the cost to replace it is minimal. And alas, I get to keep spinning physical media both pressed discs (CDs, DVDs) and burned discs (such as needledrops @ 24/192 and downloaded hi-res files on recordable DVD).

But how does it sound?

Some people get weedy when you mention how good the specs are. Suffice to say, I chose the audio interface I am using, first, based off its specs. After getting it all sorted, neither did the sound quality disappoint. If I at some point decide to go another route, I can always use a dedicated DAC between the laptop and preamp. Right now playback certainly sounds as good if not better than the Denon and recordings hold their own against my Tascam DV-RA1000HD master recorders, which now sit unused.

Cheers!