How to connect Tidal to DAC wireless via iPad

With the Dayton Audio device I use, and it looks like the Arcam unit also mentioned, you can connect wireless via your wireless router. In my case, my router is upstairs, my system down, with no good way to connect directly via cat5 for internet connection. Of course if you can, great. Thus, the very small unit I have can sit in my rack (somewhat hidden actually) connected wirelessly to my router upstairs in my office, and yes, then ‘hardwire’ connected to my DAC. I use the digital RCA to my DAC from my CD player, so for me, the optical is the only other choice, as my old PS Audio DAC only has optical and RCA inputs. The Dayton unit also has USB output, so you could use that as well.

Not all streamers output to USB. But most will out as optical Toslink. And if I am not mistaken, your DAC accepts Toslink as an input. A splitter or hub should be fine to the network cable to the streamer.

After some research and looking at my router it looks like i can connect router via USB to Node2i USB input (right below ethernet connector) from the Node2i i have multiple input options to my Audio Mirror Tubadour DAC. Make sense to everyone? For $500 it seems like good plan without sacrificing quality of sound?

The Node2i is a well respected piece, and should do just fine. To be honest, I just don’t do ‘critical’ listening via streaming to warrant even that cost (usually use Tidal to check out stuff I’m curious about, or might consider purchasing), but what I do stream sounds just fine, in fact very good via my iPad, Tidal, or my server connected by my inexpensive wireless ‘streaming’ unit. I just prefer physical media first and foremost, and that will probably never change.

Good luck, you can’t go wrong with that purchase as a starting point.

Perhaps that could work. I have not seen a router that outputs via USB. Your router may have a USB port for another purpose. But a network cable out to the Node will work for sure.
In my experience the Node2i should be a nice improvement over your current setup. And you can always upgrade down the road.