my system

[Jean-Marie]

If (1) is not the best, you’re doing something wrong !

That assumes that there is no way to best the Roon replay and internal D1000 DAC combination, which isn’t obvious.

I am of course aware that the analog signal coming out of the Esoteric will be converted to digital again in the D1000 but still.

And then there is of course the subjective preference of sound converted one way or another.

Anyway, so far your forecast matches my perception. :-)

Cheers,
Bernard

Bernard,

Yes I am making two assumptions: 
1) Since all 4 options are using the internal DAC of the D1000 (you cannot do otherwise with the Devialet anyway), the simpler way to bring in bit perfect source to this DAC is the better
2) Roon/RAAT is bit perfect

Cheers,
Jean-Marie