Wanting to upgrade my streaming sound quality.

OP,

Congratulations on your decision. I read the review in The Absolute Sound. Sounds like a really interesting device. I hope you will report back on your findings… how it sounds,  how it compares with your analog system. 

I find this topic so difficult, personally.

In my local audio society, some of the very best rigs have great dacs and then have a raspberry pi or a mac mini or just a simplified computer (built with a kit) with good power supplies, good cabling, etc. for the streaming part. The emphasis is on everything around the streamer. This leaves flexibility for changes in DAC's. 

I do see the logic in getting a one-box solution, especially if one has a good unit in mind and they like the sound of the DAC built in. And, of course, if they're willing to take the digital out from that unit into another, external DAC if their taste or curiousity changes.

For myself, I have a modded Orchid MHDT DAC that I really like and a Bluesound Node 2i. I have pressed people in other threads about whether they could hear a difference when they changed streamers, but there are almost no cases where someone had a controlled comparison to describe. They were almost always changing the DAC involved, too.

So, for now, I'm likely to continue taking the digital stream out of my Orchid, improving the power supply for it (PD Creative, Teddy Pardo, something), and then remaining focused on the other elements of my system.

I appreciate all the recommendations and thoughts, however I think I’m going to stay with a one box solution and I’m leaning toward the hifi rose 150b.

Very interesting feature set. Looks like a worthy competitor to the new Lumin P1, for about half the price.  

IMO, a single integrated box can be a good way to go. It shortens signal paths, reduces box count and cable clutter, and improves system integration for efficient remote control. For an all-digital system, an integrated DAC/streamer/preamp is a modern  alternative to an integrated amp  (IF the volume control is good).  It pushes the advantages of integration upstream, allowing for more flexibility in selecting your power amp(s).

A touch screen could be a nice feature if the device is within easy arm's reach.  Otherwise IMO it's a gimmick;  I'd focus on the screen's information display quality (including readability from a distance).

Great advice on the app. Also do not forget customer service. You are bound to stumble. Learning curve ahead.

One of the things that pushes me toward the HiFi Rose is the ease of use along with the support of the company as far as frequent automatic updates.in addition to the touch screen It has a physical remote or can be controlled from my iPad. Also being able to stream 4k video holds a little interest for me although it’s not terribly important.

I would connect the Rose to my modem with an Ethernet cable and then balanced Xlr cables to my preamp. The T2 also looks good but the operating system doesn’t seem as user friendly. Now I just need to figure out how much I’m going to owe the irs before I pull the trigger. Any advice on an Ethernet or xlr cables?