Interesting to read this thread.
In the UK 'streamer' seems now to define a unit with both DAC and network bridge,
I demoed the following network bridge units in my own Vitus/Boenicke system. Hence all wen5 via usb to the Vitus DAC.
1. Auralic Aries G2 (£4,000)
2. Pro-Ject Streambox S2 Ultra (£600)
3. SOtM-200 Ultra NEO SE (£1500)
4. (3) above with its own sPS-500SE power supply (total £2200)
5. (3) above with the power supply in (4) and a separate clock sCLK-OCX10 SE (total £5700)
To my ears there was no audible difference between (1) and (4).(5) was better, but not massively.
This may be DAC-dependent as it is my understanding that a good DAC, and the Vitus is a very good DAC, is less dependent on a good Network bridge. But I am no engineer.
From previous DAC comparisons in my system I would say therefore that DACs define the sound a lot more than the network bridge (streamer).
Personally I would not combine them into one unit. From my evidence I would buy a network bridge, stick with it, then enjoy trying out and swapping in and out various DACs.
As an aside, and in case you don’t have one in your set up, I would recommend installing a switch between your router and Hi-Fi and run cat8 cable between all units. This made far more difference to the sound than any difference between network bridges. And a bigger improvement than between many DACs.
