Stand alone DAC connectivity is a bitch

Streamers perform the function of converting a WiFi (packeted data stream) signal into a digital stream. The streamer cleans up the noise and times the bits. If you connect to a DAC via USB then the DAC retimes the bitstream, if you use SP/DIF or AES... connection then the DAC does not retime the bit stream. Having owned a dozen streamers I have realized they are somewhat like turntables... they are the start of the signal path and every dollar spent here is critical in getting the end result you want. Look at Aurender.. They have audiophile grade units... just streamer, no storage, storage + streamer, storage plus streamer and DAC. But what is import ant is to get a real high quality streamer with low noice. It will take care of issues from your router by cashing  the stream and cleaning power. 

Dont want a dac inside a streamer.  Streamers are noisy.

My chord dac takes optical, coax and usb.

maybe optical is better, but isnt there bandwidth restraint?

Recommend Darko and Hans Beekhuyzen on Youtube on your question.

op

i second hilde’s suggestion of darko and hans b on youtube

lots of informative, well articulated, unbiased videos that will teach you what you are wanting to know

learn, pls don’t be inflammatory till you understand how things work

I use separate DAC and Streamers on all my systems. But not all streamers are noisy. Built from the ground up as audiophile equipment is not. Having said that, Aurender is aware of that and my main system streamer is separate and actually runs on an internal battery to lower noise... see my profile. Most of the major upgrades they have done in the last few years has been reducing power supply noise.