First Streamer...

In my system I put DAC first and use an iFi Zen Stream with iFi's $250 power supply, $50 to use fiber optics to filter out ethernet noise and it all sounds very musical.  I will replace the iFi when I have the money, but I'm happy with the iFi.

This is terrific for you if this arrangement makes you happy. Certainly there are alternative solutions and beginning with a higher level streamer is one of them. iFi will be sufficient for some listeners and not for others. Individuality/case by case , YMMV etc.

Charles

Charles..

Agreed..

@charles1dad So you have experience upgrading your streamer while using a dime store DAC?  

If a cheap DAC is "good enough" for the listener,, the my thought is that they won't even see the difference in the streamer. 

@vonhelmholtz Good breakdown on your integrated.  My DAC is the most expensive individual component in my system.  I do have a custom amp on order that will be more.

Jerry

So you have experience upgrading your streamer while using a dime store DAC?  

Who has suggested that solution? A poor quality DAC won’t sound good with anything. Nor would a “dime store “ streamer. I was making the point that both of these digital path components are important. They work in tandem. If you have your own approach that’s fine if it works satisfactory for you.

Charles 

More important than a streamer is a DAC. 

Although I completely agree a DAC is crucial to getting the most out of streaming, I disagree that it’s more important than a streamer.  With streaming, IME everything is important and additive so if you cheap out somewhere — be it cables, streamer, power supply, etc. your results will suffer.  I’d also highly recommend the iFi Zen Stream with an upgraded power supply as a first step, although go hard wired because its Wi-Fi is not good and their customer support is basically non existent and sad.