New DAC or New Streamer?

I agree with others that streamer is most important, but then with upgraded streamer the dac or network will become weak link, and around and around it goes.

In the end so many choices, I can't say with large measure of assurance what is best for any other individual. As for myself I can't live without Roon, the interface is just so seamless, and such great utility with multiple configurations in my unique streaming setup. One can also mix and match equipment from various manufacturers, result is sound quality will be extremely variable dependent on entire streaming chain. I don't believe ultimate sound quality with Roon is an issue, I prefer it thus far to the Stylus proprietary music player I have, a player that has a great many positive reviews. One can also use the embedded HQPlayer within Roon for an amazing journey into dsp!. One can over and up sample PCM and DSD, convolution filters aplenty, ability to add individual equalization. Finally, I believe I'm hearing a qualitative difference with  the network adapter chosen for a two machine streaming setup,NAA, SqueezeLite, and RoonReady the three I've experimented with.

Adding up the versatility, utility and sound quality I'm getting from Roon makes it an absolute necessity for my streaming. I will say this level of versatility and sound quality requires a fair amount of fiddling and streamer with relatively high power processor, think Intel I7 minimum for HQPlayer. An OS optimized for Roon also required for optimal sound quality, OS optimized for the proprietary players mentioned above probably plays large role in their reported sound quality edge.

Bottom line is I don't believe Roon is inherently inferior music player. I doubt  Taiko would be using Roon in their Extreme streamers if they thought it had some inherent sonic liabilities.

Roon is inferior sound quality wise on Innuos gear and certainly not in general. I am sure Roon sounds wonderful on other server/streamers. Innuos processing power is purposefully designed to be lower so as to minimize noise. That is one reason they sound so organic and natural. If one owns an Innuos server they have not really heard what it is capable of until they run Sense. Roon certainly sounds good on my Innuos, but falls pretty short sonically to Sense. 

One must know their goals and desires with streaming when deciding on a server/streamer. I don’t care about DSD or DSP and really like the linear power supplies and lower processing power design goals of Innuos. This keeps noise to a minimum. I have heard more detailed servers than my Zenith 3, but it’s hard to beat the natural tone and musicality on my Innuos for the money.

I still run Roon for background music only as I use Roon radio to learn about new artists.

If one wants to use DSP heavily and cannot do without some of Roon’s features, then Innuos would perhaps not be the best choice

I have read arguments suggesting Roon is unnecessarily burdensome on processors. I really don’t know enough to have an opinion one way or the other. I do know the Sense program is far less demanding and with each update sounds better and better. Innuos keeps adding features while improving sound quality. I understand they are working on offering a Roon Radio type of feature. I hope soon. 

It is true most off the shelf streamers use relatively less powerful processors for their lower inherent noise propagation, takes greater mitigation efforts to keep noise at a minimum with the higher power processors.

Roon dsp is pretty awful, HQPlayer plays at much higher level, still in process of determining a final analysis of it's ability to sound as natural as my particular Roon setup.  Thus far does excel on resolving powers, but does sound a bit artificial to me at least with PCM over and up sampling. HIgh DSD sampling rates are reportedly the way to go, will try that in time.

I'm also in camp of desiring analog/top flight vinyl sound quality with my digital. Just spent a tidy pile of money in order to bring my vinyl SQ up to the digital.

In the end I think we can all agree many paths to wonderful streaming SQ. If I were to go to off the shelf, Taiko, Wadax, Aurender W20SE, perhaps Antipodes K series or Innuous Statement would be at top of my list. With two machine setup, dedicated server/streamer many more would make the list. I'd only suggest one spend to top level of their financial abilities in streamer purchases if the intention is to make streaming their preferred source.

@grannyring I do know the Sense program is far less demanding and with each update sounds better and better. Innuos keeps adding features while improving sound quality

Bill, those are encouraging developments. Has the Sense sound quality upgrade been implemented within the past year? I wonder if there is further improvement with the new Pulse series network players.

Charles