Is a cheaper DAC + Reclocker better than just an expensive DAC?

I tend to agree with @carlsbad on this one 

Once again, the old adage:

Making a silk purse from a cow's ear.

-Seems to be applicable here.

In short, buying a DAC that sounds as good as it can in it's price-range, sound better than buying one that is 'okay' and adding a reclocker.

As far as- extinguish any upgrade fever.

That depends upon how much you want to hear/spend.

B

Ahhh, this is good down-to-earth and realistic advice everyone, thanks. Not what i wanted to hear but what i needed to hear.  Looks like there's no shortcuts or cheats on this one.

I'm steaming from a windows laptop (just added my basic system to my profile).

Buy the best DAC you can afford. If you still have the itch later on, you can try a reclocker down the road.

IMO, you can improve the streaming quality immensely by ditching a general purpose Windows laptop as a streamer. Plenty of good dedicated streamers out there, many very affordable too

@fai_v Along the same lines, although I may not get as much agreement on this one.

Your PC is not bad at doing the digital part.  Focus your purchase on the DAC.  If you have to use your PC for a year, that's ok.  

I also avoid combo DAC streamers as you seldom see a top quality DAC in a streamer. 

--Jerry