Does the 'Buck' Start with the DAC?

@thyname 

In terms of the topic of this thread - it's hard to say which contributes more to the sound (DAC/streamer).  It's sort of a chicken and egg scenario, a better DAC will help, but without a streamer to unlock it, you won't get the most out of the DAC.  Leads me to believe 50:50 is the appropriate ratio.  

@skanda

It really is a phenomenal DAC.  What's interesting is I used to only use it in NOS mode, as the upsampling filters tended to thin out the sound.  Post streamer - that is no longer an issue, and it sounds absolutely sublime.  It's incredible how a streamer really ties everything together in the system.  I'm shocked how much music I was missing with a 20k system !

In terms of streamers that have caught my eyes - I like both the Rockna and the Musica Pristina units as they both support i2s, which would allow me to offload the SU1 KTE (USB -> i2s converter) and recoup more funds when I upgrade. 

I also like the Musica Pristina as it is a pure streamer, so I'm not paying for a CD drive, hard drive etc., which I will not use.  I'm purely Tidal via Roon.  That leads me to believe I'm getting more bang for my buck in terms of sound quality (or alternatively it is just overpriced !). 

Unfortunately not many reviews out outside of one agon user with the older A Capella II model (which is quite old).  

@azwill Thanks for the post. I do appreciate the simplicity of the X1 system. You only have 1 input but that is considered a feature and not a bug by Lumin. The X1 is supposed to be a little darker (or not bright) sounding and that may not work the best with my next speakers so I am looking at others.

Another DAC system that has me intrigued is the AudioByte VOX 3 unit DAC system for $6K (sister company of Rockna). This DAC system has an RJ45 Ethernet input in the HUB unit and that unit is not released yet (likely July 2020). They do some jitter and other cleanup in the HUB. The 3 unit configuration sounds complicated but you only need 1 power cable to power all 3 units.

I needed a new DAC ASAP for headphones (also to serve as a backup) so bought the Benchmark DAC3B a few days ago. I should get it tomorrow. I will use a microRendu to stream to it. So I am now building up a DAC stable too.

Worldwide, I have a NET on the way to use with my WD signature.
What i wanted to add here, from my previous experience with Aurender N10, is to elevate the SQ from stream vs internal SSD/HDD, you need to work considerably on your ethernet.
I have opted for:
Ubiquity edgerouter X Sfp (no wifi, have separate wifi hub from router, optically isolated), 
Directly by AQ rj45 vodka into etherregen switch, then AQ diamond rj45 into aurender, powering both ubiquity and etherregen with ifi ipower low noise bricks (with Paul hynes SR dual rail on the way to replace those).
With above arrangement, i could almost swear SQ from stream is equal if not in certain cases better than local files (depending on quality of local file which can vary). I look forward to see how that works for the NET, now that aurender is out of the picture.
Try to improve your ethernet, you might be shocked of the results. Big impact was from the cheapest component, the ubiquity edgerouter X sfp! 
Will update in the forums once i put my hands on the NET...probably another month of wait.

Everyone is always shocked at how much improvement can come from a streamer, a DAC, an amp, etc. They also tend to think that with any major improvement they don’t have much left to improve. That is a poor conclusion.

This is typical; all systems have many levels of improvement available to them. Power cords, Ethernet to optical conversion, interconnects, preamps, tube changes, etc. Whatever touches the power and signal paths can be upgraded with efficacious results.

For some reason, likely inflated pride, the audiophile tends to think their rig as it sits is oh, so close to SOTA. Not really, as most are quite a ways from it. I know that my system is still quite a ways from what can be done ultimately. There are still many of levels of improvement available, and I will keep seeking them.

A comment was made in regard to the SONORE sonictransporter, "I admit to some curiousity on the SonicTransporter i9 Optical that has fiber optic output (through built-in Sonore Optical Module). " I wrote up both the SonicOrbiter and Signature Rendu SE for Dagogo.com, and later added outboard the affordable systemOptique converter from Ethernet to optical. Sensational change, a gorgeous improvement. I have done a lot of changes to rigs, but the systemOptique conversion was efficacious beyond my expectations, a bonus in digital playback.

My guess is there will be some who scoff at such things. Good for them; that’s their problem. Let them sit with their mediocre sound, as they deserve it. The same group trots out misnomers such as the "jitter immunity" argument, that supposedly DACs immune to jitter render other such changes as server/streamers obsolete. Don’t you believe it. See my review of the Benchmark DAC3 and AHB3 Amps at Dagogo.com, wherein I found that Benchmark products are every bit as sensitive to cable, playback changes as any other component. 

The closest I have found in regard to an agnostic result in regard to the outcome given the signal input is the Exogal Comet, but even that unit can be changed significantly through matching with different components, and surprisingly, by switching from use of the on board hardware attenuation to the media software attenuation! No, I'm not interested in the snarky comments of the ignorant/Inexperienced in that regard.  :) 

I developed an adage in regard to the hard-headedness and skepticism of some: The greatest impediment to advancing an audiophile system is the audiophile.

Does the 'Buck' Start with the DAC?

Yes, if the 'Duck' Starts with a Quack