How are most audiophiles going from streamers to DACS

Herman...
"I don’t know if the Node outputs 192 but that is not a Toslink limitation."

Just a point of clarification, I have my Node 2i hooked up to a Cambridge 851C I’m evaluating. When I use coax, the Cambridge DAC shows 192k. Then when I switch to optical, the Cambridge DAC switches to 96k. The Cambridge upsamples to 192k max.

A streaming DAC is a better solution.

no cable means no data conversions are required for USB/COAX etc. Very short signal path with i2S.

Hard wired connection by ethernet and use an etherregen with LPS and/or audiophile network switch with LPS (e.g english electric or bonn8).

happy days! 

2i doesn’t have a USB output, so that’s is a non-starter

Toslink is limited in output (to 96khz) vs RCA coaxial

So for the 2i your best bet is RCA coax

Living on a limited budget.  Running a Bluesound Node 2i , Audioquest cables to a Shiit Byfrost, , sounds good but not close to the CD sound of the innous mini mk III. Running UDP on direct Ethernet. The details for symbol decay, ring, instruments blending. Bass is good on streaming but not as solid and controlled as the Innous.  I can live with the streamer because overall it would cost at least twice as much to get some improvement. I love the simplicity and functionality of the Blu OS. I just sit back and enjoy the music. I am very happy it sounds so good for the cost and being thankful for what I have.

Newbie question, looking to purchase a high resolution streamer.  What I don’t understand is people hooking coaxial digital or optical to their receiver.  I thought optical and coaxial didn’t have the full resolution that hdmi has for the new formats.  If you’re using a high quality streamer, even with a decent receiver, shouldn’t you use the the RCA out to take advantage of the DAC from the streamer?

Thanks!