New (used) streamer ...final selection or more suggestions ?

op - are you using roon?  if so one can choose streamers differently than if the plan is to use the streamer brand's own user interface software (quality of those can vary considerably, and materially affect the user experience)

not using roon.

tidal and my own files - the streamer must have DAC at this point as  I am going to a preamp.

thanks!

@ether well if you are looking for a streamer WITH dac then look at the Bricasti M3. New above you price range but maybe a used one would fit your budget, although they don't come up often used.

Any comments.

OK. Go with just the Moon Mind2 streamer for $2.5K new. Then get a $199 DAC from Schiit like the Modius to hold you over until you scrape coin for a nice DAC that is on par with the Moon. Really Fun rolling different DACs through your system until you hit one you love.

In your shoes, in your price range, I'd give Lumin a look, new or used.  A new Lumin D2 is in your price range. Has a well established control app, has an internal DAC, has digital outputs, the caveat being that it lacks the digital inputs to be used as an outboard DAC.