New DAC or New Streamer?

Neglected to mention three dedicated streamers I've used, therefore, streamers without server capability. These commonly called two computer setups. Which leads me to emphasize rendering or port optimization and integration with dacs. Best ports on streamers and dacs can vary greatly, one needs to match streamer to dac here. For instance far too many servers are less than optimal with usb implementation, rendering of the usb is critical for max performance, and very likely plays role in my preference for Roon vs Stylus proprietary player via new streamer. The JCAT usb card with it's optimal rendering could upset the scale. Another streamer I came close to purchasing, the Antipodes K50 claims AES/EBU is optimal port, and other streamers may prefer I2S, one must do the research with both streamer and dac in order to discover optimal compatibility.

Also, it wasn't my intention to rate music players, I only have direct experience with Roon, Audirvana, Foobar, HQPlayer, and now Stylus, I have no idea what is preferable for someone else and their setups. My only intent is to state I'm getting sublime SQ with my present Roon setup, perhaps Stylus will outperform in time. I can understand the logic for why it should, and for why any proprietary player could do same.

@sns

Well stated and I appreciate your insight and perspective. My domain has been CD media which I enjoy immensely and will continue to do so. I am going to take my first step into audio streaming and am  really looking forward to it. I’ll take shipment of a new DAC soon. Once that settles into the system, next will be the streaming.

Regardless if discussing CD transport or server/ network player, both are digital sources that matter significantly. There’s a definite hierarchy of quality amongst CD transports and common sense dictates the same for digital streaming components.

I have read many posts from experienced listeners who stream and overwhelmingly they cite the quality of the streamer as crucially important. They have heard substantial sound quality differences within this genre. This comes as no surprise.
For those who insist that it’s all about the DAC, okay do what works for you. I see digital source and DAC as equally important. They function as a paired unit. This will be my approach.

Charles

If you are using an Innuos streamer or server using the Sense app is superior to Roon software. They also are very consistent with upgrades.

This is my opinion and many here are of the same opinion. 

I was an early adapter of the Roon Ecosystem and bought the lifetime package. Sure glad my kids are using it.

@sns

Well said! I will go one step further…without network optimization, you’re not hearing full potential of your streamer or server. It is so vital to clean up the Ethernet signal from your modem or router before it enters your streamer/server. Even if your streamer/ server is galvanically isolated or use superior noise rejection circuitry, using some kind of noise filtering device is proven to be helpful in cleaning up the grunge. The degree of improvement from noise filtering devices may vary in each setup but they are generally effective. Please don’t go gadget crazy…IME, one or two high quality noise filtering devices are more than adequate, atleast that’s been true in my system.

Everything matters, starting with network optimization, high quality LAN cables, streamer/server and DAC. One other thing that is not often mentioned here is Grounding - passive or active. Grounding your components appropriately can have very profound effects on overall sound of your system by way of lowering the noise floor.

I agree with Charlesdad….  If you stream a lot , the Streamer is very important as it is akin to a CD transport.   Can you imagine pairing a $5000 DAC with a Coby DVD player as your transport?   It will work but you just inserted a major bottle neck into the digital chain.  
 

I also have a Bluesound Vault 2i and it’s been great.  It has so many things going for it , including convenience 

When I turn my TV on the Vault senses this , puts its input to Video and I now have. Control of the volume for TV and movies 

Tons of free content.   On and on.  
 

But when I really want quality over convenience I power up my Aurender and Stream Qobuz or Tidal     
 

Those streams sound good on the Vault but the Aurender is noticeably better in every metric.