OK, Streamers: "Head" units only...?

A couple more dedicated streamers:

Bel Canto e.One Stream - $1595
SimAudio Moon Mind2 - $1900
DCS Network Bridge - $4750

Last summer, I had reached out to the designer/owner of my dac (Mojo Mystique v3) to ask a question about the outputs. He asked about my source, and when I mentioned that I was using a modded Sonos Connect, he replied that I was only getting probably 40% of his DAC’s capabilities.

Thus started a long conversation on digital servers, streamers, power supplies, ethernet filtering, cabling, switches, etc.

I eventually bought a used DCS Network Bridge and did a number of additional upgrades to power, filtering, and cables on the network front end. (FWIW, a straight swap-out of the DCS in place of the Sonos was a surprising revelation in improved SQ on its own.)

In my system, all these changes were an upgrade in SQ. Ben at Mojo Audio was right. There are of course diminishing returns in cost, but I have no regrets.

For you Deezer users out there, the SimAudio Moon Mind2, NAD M50.2, and DCS Network Bridge support native Deezer streaming. They are the only higher tier products I’ve found that support it.

@veroguy  great post  really quite helpful  thanks

I’m in the same boat as the OP, except in my case I want an upgrade from a MacBook Pro. I briefly tried the Bluesound Node 2i but returned it as I couldn’t really hear a difference compared to the Mac. I’m currently approaching analysis paralysis regarding streaming only boxes. In the sub $1k range there’s the W4S modified SONOS Connect, and the Pro-Ject Stream Box Ultra. I researched the Bel Canto e.one Stream @ $1500, but it’s not just a streamer as it also has a DAC. In the $2k range I’m looking at both the Lumin U1 mini, and the Moon Mind 2, both streaming only. There’s really not that many reviews on these boxes, and even fewer comparisons. Opinions seem to be split between “a streamer is a streamer, and it’s the DAC that affects SQ” and “streamers are just as important regarding SQ as the DAC”. 

@crn3371 , I couldn't find much on the Mind2 either.  Member fpeel has 2 of them, and gave a good review vs Blousound node here:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/bluesound-node-2/post?postid=1716588#1716588

Another option is the Metrum Ambre Roon Endpoint at $1200.  It doesn't have native streaming apps, but you could stream Tidal and Qobuz via the ambre if you got Roon.  Reviews are generally positive.

I was really close to getting the Lumin U1 mini, but it didn't have deezer support.  I've read that the Sbooster connection kit and power supply bring it to another level.

@veroguy, thanks for Node vs Mind link. That’s exactly the kind of comparison I’m looking for.