To DAC or not to DAC ?

Have you ever thought about a used PS Audio Direct Stream DAC and Bridge 11 combination. They can be had quite cheaply now if you scout round then you could have Streamer, DAC and Preamp all in one and have a piece of hardware more comensurate with your other equiptment and also get some money for your other stuff into the bargain. 

A standalone DAC makes a huge difference in SQ over using a component's onboard DAC.  I replaced a combo Headphone Amp / DAC with a Denafrips Pontus II and it was day and night. I run both my Buesound Node 2i and Audiolab CD transport into the Pontus and have never looked back on my decision. Which DAC to buy will depend on your listening tastes. Denafrips makes R2R ladder DACs which are described as having a "natural" sound. If you're on a budget, the Ares II is their entry level DAC.  

Thst makes no sense you need to spend $ 5-6 k

like the Bricasti M3 dac- streamer $6500:retail  would be perfect and night and day better ,for I owned  Krell and latest dac not even close  and the Freda 

is in the beginners class of audio in comparison to the Krell amp,and Wilson 

quality does count !!

The bluesound gen 3 node is a nice improvement over its predecessors.