Integrated Amp upgrade path

@mrklas -- thank you for the details. Given the rate of change in the digital audio industry, especially when it comes to streamers and DAC, I've so far been of the opinion that we should keep them separate for ultimate flexibility. Did you try to use the MIND2 purely as a streamer feeding to your Mac DAC? 

I own Treo CTs and matched them with an Aesthetix Mimas integrated on the suggestion of John Rutan of Audio Connections. The Aesthetix is a zero-feedback design as are Ayre products and both are acknowledged as good matches for the Vandersteens. I like streaming as well and use an Innuos Zenith and Phoenix to stream to the DAC module in the Mimas. I use WyWires Platinum USB cables. The Innuos is my Roon Core and I stream with Qobuz. My points are to talk to Johnny and get his advice on amp matching. And the other point is that a a high-quality stream is readily discernible as superior. 

On the streamer front, I’ve been through a bunch, most of which are mentioned above and all have some very good sound and convenience pluses and I’m not about to bash any of them.
I have finally settled on the Linn Akurate DSM with Roon and have been totally happy with both sound, convenience and interface. It’s totally upgradable as well.
As others have mentioned Boulder and McIntosh will have different house sounds. Just find your cup of tea. I have a McIntosh C2300 pre before they started incorporating Dac’s in their pre amps as I wanted it separate.
Good luck in your quest.

@arafiq No I have not tried the Mind2 as a streamer into the Mac DAC.  The MiND2 is integrated into the the Moon 280D and its output is analog only (balanced or RCA)