Does the 'Buck' Start with the DAC?

OK, these last few posts are a real aberration and at the highest 0.001% of this hobby. They should be ignored....;-)

I think the key is to match streamers and DACs intelligently.
As with everything, I target "92-95%" of what cost-no-object techos seek. The logic being the last 5-8% costs about $2,000 per 1%...;p-)

Some DACs are fine with a $40 streamer as they ignore jitter.

My $0.02...:

1. Get a $300-$500 streamer that can do both AirPlay and Bluetooth and UPnP.
2. Get a $750 - $1500 DAC that sonically matches your system.
3. Get a good digital cable.

If you want to go larger, then open your wallet wider.

The Lumin X1 was discussed a lot in the Best High End DAC thread but I have yet to see a mention of the X1 connected by the fibre optical input. It cost about $200 to buy a network switch with Optical and maybe another $100 to connect this to the X1 from the switch with fibre and the connectors.

It seems to me the goal of dedicated audio streaming servers (computers) is to lower RF noise, using an optimized computer for very low noise and maybe some horsepower for DSP/upsampling options. So I can understand why people praise them so much. However, if the fibre optical input of the X1 is supposed to be the best way to stream data because it eliminates RF noise since this noise cannot travel on fibre optical  wire. Then is a expensive dedicated audio server really needed for a DAC with fibre optical input? Only person that I have seen address this is the owner of the ComuterAudiophile web site on his review of the Lumin X1.

I am not saying that the Lumin X1 is the best sounding DAC but I am wondering if it the best streaming DAC. I am thinking of getting this DAC just for the optical streaming feature so I can eliminate boxes. I would use a cheapo computer, running ROON, somewhere on my network (not necessarily in the same room as the audio system).

The other option I was considering was a optical Rendu from Sonore but that adds another box and the data signal eventually goes back to USB when going into a non-Lumin X1 DAC. However, this option does open up the choice of DACs if the Lumin X1 is not your type of flavour. 

It also seems like most are saying that USB DAC streaming input sounds better in most DACs than RJ45 Ethernet DAC streaming input, for example Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC. I look forward to the day when all (or more) DACs have fibre optical input.

Of course it all matters but practically one will choose the DAC for the sound and the streamer mostly for the features. 

"Regardless, the comparison underscored that server preferences are ultimately DAC-dependent and may change as equipment (including cables and supports) changes."

[Emphasis: ...server preferences are ultimately DAC-dependent...]

The above quote is from Jason Victor Serinus’ very recent Stereophile review of the Wolf Audio Alpha 3 SX server.

I find his [this] statement valuable for the context of this thread.

That’s spot on. I totally agree. I think of the digital chain as ONE body comprised of four elements:

1) Server 

2) Streamer 

3) DAC

4) Peripherals (power supplies, Internet transmission, cables)

Often times, two or more of these combined in one unit (I.e. DAC with a network bridge built in).

IMHO, the most important decision is on the DAC, then building around it for best synergy, and without ignoring the other three elements in the chain.

BTW @david_ten ... I was able to get an Innuos Statement for myself a month or so ago