"I suspect that most streamers will sound similar into the same DAC, although I am sure that this being the site it is, people will argue that to death."
No argument from me but in my system Chromecast Audio and Node2 DO NOT sound the same feeding into the same DAC. Not saying its 15 times better than the $35 CA but better nonetheless. If you or mzk don’t agree, I recommend listening to a Lumin streamer to hear the difference much more clearly.
To OP, if MQA is not a requirement, I think the combination of a Node2 and the Benchmark's new DAC3B would be a good option for around $2200.
No argument from me but in my system Chromecast Audio and Node2 DO NOT sound the same feeding into the same DAC. Not saying its 15 times better than the $35 CA but better nonetheless. If you or mzk don’t agree, I recommend listening to a Lumin streamer to hear the difference much more clearly.
To OP, if MQA is not a requirement, I think the combination of a Node2 and the Benchmark's new DAC3B would be a good option for around $2200.