Does the 'Buck' Start with the DAC?

@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

What a lovely thread David :-) what audiogon could and should be !

As a dark science devotee, and hard core math dude - most Economists are, I await a new law to replace diminishing returns...

but, while we wait, let’s listen to fantastic music !

yes, everything matters and not in equal weight, but innovation and improvements don’t necessarily flow to higher weighted components of what should be an engineered system. I agree, noise and signal quality are hyper important and frankly solutions are affordable- linear PSU and isolation of any switching supplies remaining on a dedicated circuit into a power conditioner with no analog devices on it is imo a must. Budget some $ for vibration management as well, I use HRS Nimbus and a Damper block on NAIM servers ( SSD and Spinning disc ) as well as isolators on Synology NAS. Teddy Pardo makes a variety of LPS.

David - I would be interested in your finding on listening to various DCS components... especially the Rossini.

finally I don’t think we can totally separate hardware and software innovation and a companies longevity of the firm and product upgrades over time. Clearly DCS, NAIM, etc ( many others ) have a track record. I value that my Aesthetix DAC is FPGA, somewhat future proof, hope Jim White engages with that future !!!!

fun
best to all

jim