Point of diminishing returns for a Network Streamers?

@erik_squires, yea a Pi running Roon + iFi power supply makes for a good sounding streamer for the $ at least.   I have two in the house with SPDIF boards on them.    I did swap out the one in my main system for a more expensive Bricasti M5 and have to admit the difference in sound quality was more than I expected when also using SPDIF.   Relatively speaking I thought it was well worth the difference in cost.    The iFi Zen would be interesting to compare with the Pi.

I just purchased a Meitner MA3 with an integrated Ethernet/Roon streamer and I unfortunately still prefer the M5 running Roon using AES into the DAC.   I was assuming I could sell the M5 when I purchased the MA3, so it screws up my planned net purchase price :(    I really DO wish all the streamers sound the same...

I have a network connection at my system. So the streamer would not be connected to the computer. The mac would, for now, be the Roon Core only and be discoverable on my netwrok. 

If you don't need volume control and you use Roon as your interface the Pi4 running Roopie would be fine. The iFi zen is a good choice if you aren't inclined to put a raspberry pi togethe and load an OS. 

+1 @soix regarding the excellent performance and value of the ifi zen stream... tremendous value, just a terrific sounding product at a very very modest price, does exactly what it is designed to do, no frills but simply superb in its targeted functionality imo

agree also with other comment that a good linear power supply into the zs is essential for best performance

Your Luxman integrated deserves a quality digital front end, if your DAC is on par with the Luxman, purchase as follows:

ADOT MCO1 fiber optic kit

LHY 25A LPS with dual 5v outputs

Uptone Audio EtherREGEN switch

Audioquest Forest ethernet cables

Lumin U2 

The Lumin alone is a significant upgrade over the iFi Zen, but coupled with this chain, the sonic gains can be huge.

How do I know this? Because every single step I mention above I have done in both my home and office systems, with fantastic results.