What’s your preferred connection?

[Axel]

Thanks David for your thoughtful reply. The reason I ask is because basically I’m going to have to buy everything I want send through the d200

CD (nice to have as I have some cds I listen to from time to time)
I may be able to “share” my oppo 203 with my home theater /Marantz by utilizing one of the digital outs since I am using hdmi to the HT. But I’m not even sure the oppo can handle two different audio outs, if not, I will need to invest in a separate cd transport of some kind.

Music streaming (most important)
Since the d200 does not appear to have airplay direct streaming support for Apple Music, I will need some sort of device to stream my Apple music subscription. I have briefly looked at the Lumin u1 mini or the Auralic Aries G1. Both of these have all 3 of the connection outputs I mentioned. I have also looked at the Cambridge Audio CXN and Azur 851N network streamers as a cheaper option. I think the more expensive 851n has the aes/ebu out like the Auralic and Lumin, but the cheaper cxn only has Toslink and coax out. All of the streamers mentioned seem to support airplay, TIDAL, Spotify, Qobuz. Etc.

Vinyl (least priority)
I currently have no LP’s but intend to get a decent TT (VPI Scout, clear audio concept, or something decent in the 2k range)

So I realize I can’t connect 3 devices via AES/ebu, but I was trying to get opinions on if I did add all 3 of the devices mentioned, would one benefit more than the others for one type of connection over the other 2.

Thanks again for any feedback.

You can use multiple outputs from the Oppo. I have mine connected by HDMI to my TV, and by RCA to my Devialet for CD and SACD duties.