What's a really great Streamer/DAC box for just streaming Tidal?

I can’t imagine the Lumin D2 not impressing you. A simple, well made and great sounding all in one unit.

You could get a Raspberry Pi and use as streamer and then connect it to almost any dac you choose. This may leave you with more budget for the dac since the RPi only costs about $100 with a box.

Here are some videos about this but you can search for Raspberry Pi and streaming.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR4tuhqPppVp-PD0q17sPEA

I recently purchased a Bluesound Node 2i and the dealer suggested adding a Pro-Ject S2 DAC.  By connecting the two using a digital coax cable, I lost the complete unfold of MQA.  Adding the Pro-Ject DAC added more trebble.  More pronounced sound of cymbals and greater vocal focus, but I feel it sounds harsher than playing the Bluesound by itself.  The bass seemed to tighten up a bit using the DAC, but it also sounds thinner.  So far, I think I like the sound of the Bluesound Node 2i played by itself.  I also feel I am noticing a difference when playing completely unfolded MQA recordings.  The Dianna Krall MQA recording I listened to sounds warmer and more natural.  Not sure I am imagining this.  However, is there something about MQA I shouldn't miss out on?  When connecting the Pro-Ject DAC by way of digital coax cable, I can only get one MQA unfold.  If this is the case, is the Pro-Ject filtering out sound?  Wish I knew more about this.  The dealer kept telling me by adding the DAC I will hear greater detail and a more lifelike sound stage.  There must be a reason why MQA came out.  Can people hear a difference when hearing full MQA or was this a clever way for Bob Stewart to generate multiple revenue streams.  

I talked to the Pro-Ject customer service yesterday and he told me he doesn't recommend adding an external DAC to another DAC.  Got the impression the DAC's fight each other.  However, the dealer told me connecting the Bluesound to an external DAC by passes the DAC inside the Bluesound.  Not sure who to believe.

I am using a Roon Nucleus as both end point and core, feeding an Ayre Codex. That combination is a whole universe beyond the Raspberry Pi Day I used a couple years ago and the Bluesound Node and Cambridge CXN 2 (both of which I like as entry level pieces). I was very disappointed upon hearing forum touted pieces from Aurilic, Chord and others. I think to do better than the Ayre/Nucleus combo, one has to go over $5k, to the Ayre QX-8, etc. If anyone wants the best streamer, that's easy - the DCS Network Bridge will transport any DAC to the next level!

larry5729

I’m sure you are hearing different results comparing the two DACs.
However I guess I don’t quite understand the whole Dac feeding another Dac 
thing either. I have a Laptop in my system that streams to a Dac. I realize not everyone wants to use a Laptop so hence the appeal of the Node2i.
Although you can also stream to a Apple TV or Chromecast audio device from your phone or iPad with decent results. 
One last thing Schiit Modi 3 is (IMHO) is a wonderful sounding Dac for very little $$. YMMV. Good luck finding the right combo!