Thanks for your response, JA. In the meantime, I came across this product: Western Digital WD TV HD Media Player

I need the 96/24 connection to play my large collection of private 96/24 recordings (which I store anyway on WD My Book external drives.) This device looks like it might do it - there are no specs on 96/24, but I don't see why it shouldn't deliver the wav files exactly as stored on the WD My Book external drives. If this is so, life has never been better - it's so simple it looks too good to be true.

Product description:
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=572

Compatible Storage and other devices:
http://tinyurl.com/5hq42t

full user's guide:

http://www.wdc.com/en/library/um/4779-705014.pdf

http://tinyurl.com/69jd9j

Noam

I did it! I had the M-Audio Audiophile 192 64-Bit PCI Audio Interface installed in my new computer (it does use ASIO drivers.) I got an inexpensive true 75-ohm RF RG-59 cable and placed 75-ohm BNC-to-RCA "Video Adapters" on each end, as my Benchmark DAC1/Pre does not have a BNC S/PDIF input but an RCA one. I hooked up the computer's new S/PDIF coaxial output to the Benchmark's DAC1/Pre input and was able to play my private 96/24 recordings through the main playback setup on the main floor.

As to making sure that the PC and the Benchmark share an AC mains ground, I couldn't do that of course. I suspect that this is the reason that when the main floor's Benchmark's DAC1/Pre is playing the PC's files and I touch it, there is a fairly strong sparkle (it hurts). If I connect it instead to my older DAC1 (which does have a BNC S/PDIF input), the same thing happens and the red "Error" light flashes for a second. When I touch anything AFTER I touched the Benchmark thus wired there is an electrostatic discharge - I suppose the Benchmark (thus wired with improper grounding) charges me - can that be dangerous?

I usually burn my private 96/24 music files into DVD-A's using DiscWelder Bronze. I have been playing them either through a cheap and old Panasonic DVD player's Toslink S/PDIF output or through a Denon 2910 coaxial S/PDIF output into the Benchmark. The Denon's manual claims 96/24 output through it's S/PDIF output and the Panasonic doesn't claim anything. I have never been able to hear any difference between the 2, but I have always been tormented by the doubt that I may not be getting true 96/24 output through either one. (My playback: Benchmark DAC1 or DAC1/Pre>Channel Island monoblocks>PSB Synchrony one speakers [thank you, JA] in a room of generous proportions and acoustic - about 500 SF, 16' high ceilings, massive brick wall, wood floors, heavy carpets, heavy curtains, irregular shape, etc.)

So I was finally able to compare what I hope is really unadulterated 96/24 straight from my computer to my setup. I was not able to discern any difference and all my doubts are thus put to rest. I probably get 96/16 from my Panasonic and possibly also from my Denon, and it makes no difference.

A big thank you JA, I would not have been able to do this without your advice.

Noam

Thanks for the idea! Once I connect them to the digital input of the M-Audio card what happens? Anything pops up? Do I have to load a program to check the bit depth and Fs of the S/PDIF outputs of my Denon and Panasonic?

thanks, Noam