Looking for High Quality Streamer Only Options (NO DAC)?


I'm looking to find a dedicated streamer, ideally <$2k. Here are the objectives: 

1. Must be Roon Ready

2. No internal DAC

3. USB, Optical or Digital Coax input

4. Great quality to feed an outboard DAC. 

The idea here is to hopefully avoid paying for an internal DAC and just by a stable streamer, giving the manufacturer the ability to dump all the parts and labor costs into the streaming side only. In other words, why pay for an internal DAC I won't use.  

 

128x128jbhiller

Used Aurender N100H. They are $900-1200. The Listening Room typically have several for sale, and one can buy confidently from them.

Innuos was on my shortlist when I was in the market for a streamer without a DAC, However, in the end I purchased an Esoteric with a DAC. Unless your DAC is something really special, I’d suggest purchasing one with a DAC, that is also special. 

You do not need to spend big $ to get top-notch performance:

iFi Zen Stream: $400

Primare NP5 Prisma: $750

Holo Audio Red: $800

Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra: $900

Volumio Rivo: $1100

 

Lindemann Audiotechnik Limetree Bridge II or the new Lindemann Woodnote Solo streamers.