Using streaming as a main source ---DSD, FLAC, MQA Streamers and DACS

Another POV: start off simple (with a 30-day return policy for each component) and see if it feels as though you need more.

In my case, I’d had an older Bluesound Node and got on the waiting list for the newest one; so I received it quite a while ago. It sounded better in my system (Meridian) so I went along with it. I control everything via PC (don’t like the limited layouts on cell/tablet - and Bluesound is notorious for a lousy interface). Then after playing a CD directly into the Meridian system I realized there was something missing (I was running analog out of the Node). I looked into it and found there were many complaints - that there’s someone in Poland selling a mod to convert the power circuitry in the Node, and that it made a negligible different when using the digital output; the Node was killing the analog out. So I picked up a Topping E50 as an experiment for the analog output, and never looked back. I ultimately ended up with a Zen streamer out to their DAC (but am feeling that the Topping resolves more to my liking, and will start listening tests soon ... but both of those DACs will handle all of the elements you listed in your post).

I’m using Qobuz with Roon on my PC, out over ethernet to Zen streamer and DAC (USB connect from streamer to DAC; AFAIK that’s the only way to get the higher rez w/o integrating the two in one unit). I’ve tried MQA on Qobuz and have no problems with it; I generally wouldn’t nit pick and Qobuz doesn’t have much MQA anyway (when I asked them how I could find more MQA content, the respondent didn’t even know they had any) - but it wouldn’t be an issue for me (in this case I’m a glass half full guy) and I’m not one to join in on all the mental chaos; to me it’s pointless if you can enjoy the music

Summary: go lighter up front (w/cautionary re: Bluesound Node) with return options on gear; you might be surprised by how good some of the newer gear from the far east can be - and that "lower end" will just get better and better over time, most likely with a much better perfomance:price ratio.

Here's my solution,  at least until all these streamers and dacs with thier constant updates get to the final update. 

A preamp with a nice built-in dac that's upgradable, like a mcintosh, and a lowly ifi zen bluetooth hires receiver running Sony LDAC codec from a Android tablet. 

Amazing sound with zero hassle. 

Sold my preamp and go straight from the Bartok into the amps! Talk about sound!

MQA costs money and provides nothing over free alternatives.

That's why I hate it.   It's a snake oil money grab.

@willywonka

MQA is much more popular than these forums would indicate because of some very outspoken people. Not everyone hates it, but the haters have an obsession to make sure everyone in the world understand how bad it is.

This is very true!

Most rock music has been mastered in 96KHz so I really don’t know how so many 192 KHz recordings genuinely exist.

MQA seems to have upped it’s game since it was called out by Golden Ears.

Nevertheless it’s only really relevant if you’re a hardcore fan. The Steve Wilson re-masters of Yes, Jethro Tull and King Crimson et al are superb and are now mostly the references of these recordings. Aqualung has been truly transformed, even the SACD was very lacking.

Steve Wilson’s solo albums are great too if you like prog rock.

@kiwiscott You said you were looking for a $5k Bluesound, have a look at an N200 new or used, it’ll do everything you need and more.