streamer Lumin U1 or Aries G2.1

In addition to the Lumin and Auralic products, also have a look at Matrix Audio's line.  The Matrix Element X and X Sabre Pro get excellent reviews (as Lumin products do). FWIW, the Element X measured a little better in ASR testing than the Auralic Vega. I don't know if ASR has tested Lumin products.  However, the Element X does use the more advanced ES9038PRO chip than the ES9028 chips used in the  $10K Lumin P1. I'd expect all these devices to sound good, so you might want to focus on price and the specific features that matter (or don't matter) to you.  Then there's the warranty plus after-purchase service/support.  

Gerrie- I agree, why Tidal?  Spending all that money to use an inferior streaming service when Qobuz is available almost everywhere.

Lumin U1 to Tambaqui via Synergistic Research Gallileo Sx USB each having SR  Gallileo SX power cords is fantastic. Soundstage is enormous and so so clear/detailed. I love this front end and you don't have yet another step using roon and buying more cables and tinkering with the whole outboard third party power supply. Sometimes it seem to me like it's being stated by some retailers " BUY MORE, BUY MORE AND BUY MORE" and you might be getting there... or then the goalposts just gets moved again. Don't forget to enjoy where your at.....

My 3 cents

If Tidal, my vote is for Lumin cause Auralic has some strange and unusual way to decode MQA. 

Hello,  So I received my Aries G2.1 and inserted it between my Nucleus and DAC, with ethernet input and usb out to my Tambaqui DAC.  I got very nice cables, KS realization power cord and usb. The rest of my cables are KS Elation.  But, I installed it with stock power cable and usb cable to see what I got. 

Super easy to set up, using it as Roon Endpoint.  

Wow.  my wife and i were immediately impressed.  Much richer and organic sounding.  More lifelike, more palpable if that makes sense.  Bottom line, it sounds better and to me is worth it.  Can't wait to try the nice cables to see where it goes...

If bits are bits my new bits sound better. :)