How are most audiophiles going from streamers to DACS

why not ?  i think it is the best possible solution

I don't use any of this stuff.

I2S or AES/EBU. Metrum Acoustics Ambre streamer to Pavane DAC

The Node 2i does not have USB output. The new Node spec page claims that the USB-A jack will be an output in a future software update, which has not occurred yet to my knowledge. At present it is only an input, same as in a Node 2i.  That said, I use an AQ Coffee 1M interconnect from my Node2i to my Mytek Liberty and that clearly beat out the BJC and Transparent Performance coaxes used previously…both much less $$$ than the AQ.  At least I think so!