Music Streamer Quality

I have not listened to the Aries Mini and cannot comment on the sound quality.  My guess is that with a linear power supply (e.g. Sbooster) and a good dac, the sound would be very good.  You can probably find some discussion here or elsewhere that compares the different Aries models.  The manufacturer is getting ready to release a new model, so you might see some used Aries and LE units for resale.  These would give you an option of using Roon, which the Aries mini does not provide.   A major downside, IMO.  

Yes, the Sonos interface is terrific.  But having made the transition to Roon, there is no going back.  I tried Roon free for 30 days last fall, using the office iMac as a temporary server.  You might do the same.  

About your possible dac choices, I was unfamiliar with the Soekris dac and went to the company website to find this notice. "Due to declining sales, limited resources available to design new products, and increased competition from Asia, Soekris Engineering, Inc. has suspended operations in the USA as of today."  There is a down side to buying good stuff from small, boutique companies whose products are not well known (think resale) or have limited financial resources.   

kendrick,
Here is the link to Soekris. They have four new models of their R2R dac coming out. With their top of the line unit dac 1541 selling for $1,190.00 I anticipate we'll be hearing more from them soon. I was pretty much set on the Holo Audio Spring until I learned about this. At less than half the price it's a tough decision. I have read a couple of reviews and discussed with another member that it is almost indistinguishable from the Holo. Definitely something to consider.

http://www.soekris.dk/products.html

falconquest - If I understand correctly, Soekris is merely winding down its US operation, and will continue to produce/sell from the EU and expand the product line.  Even so, there is added financial risk when buying relatively unknown audio gear from overseas suppliers who don't sell in the US... if that is where you live.  If you live in the EU where the company is better known, that's another story.  Assuming you order the Soekris dac, will there be a right of return?  Synergy and user preference is so important.  

The point I was trying to make earlier was not to put too much faith in the ability of dacs to correct problems upstream.  Some dacs are much better than others in dealing with noise and jitter upstream. The best are very expensive.  The Holo Audio Spring, which is supposed to be a very fine dac, is often used with other devices to cleanup the data stream.  

So to briefly recap my story, I tried to find audio "perfection" with several better, costly dacs but found more satisfaction by improving the music streamer.  

Thanks kendrick,
I get it. It's the old "garbage in, garbage out" concept. Right now I am strongly considering the Holo Audio dac along with an Aurender streamer. Every review I read the the reviewer just raves about the Holo Audio unit. I'm guessing this combination should be pretty decent.

Welcome.  The combination is beyond decent...the Holo dac with Aurender streamer should sound fantastic.  Great choice.  I bought a used the Aurender N100H last year and liked it very much.  The unit is well built, the control application was very slick, and the sound was excellent.  The only reason for selling was I was in the trial mode and didn't want to stop!  You should be very pleased with the combination.  Good luck and enjoy the music.