Old days & steamers vs newer stuff?

Yes, it is a GREAT streamer. Martin Logan is owned by Anthem and both Paradigm and ML makes a streamer with ARC. They are the same price but the ML also has airplay. I own the Paradigm version because I don’t use Apple and have the digital out connected to my Sony TAZH1ES dac and it is very versatile. This streamer also has RCA input so you can use it as a preamp and connect a CDP or a turntable, and also a digital/optical input to use it as a DAC. Yes, it comes with the calibrated ARC mic and the ARC software just had a major upgrade called Genesis and its free (unlike Audyssey and Dirac major upgrades). The streamer can be used with the DTS Play-Fi software run from a mobile device or a PC, spotify. and even DLNA. I have Bubble UPNP on my phone and can basically stream any file/service using DLNA if it isn’t installed on the play-fi app. The SQ is great and well worth the MSRP, the sale price makes it even sweeter. If you need an amp they also have the Forte amp which also has a steamer built in.

BTW, I also own the Bluesound Node but no comparison, when you use ARC this streamer is the winner.

There is no downside to an optical input.

Review:

https://www.techhive.com/article/582813/martinlogan-unison-review-dts-play-fi-and-airplay-preamp-streams-anything.html

This is the results I got using my streamer with ARC:

What’s your budget, what do you have now, and what improvements are you looking for?

I love 'steamer', off you go to big vintage tube amp!!!

@kota1 I have no idea what dnla or UPNP is. I had a helluva time getting my node 2i up and running. If the dts play is just an app to control the streamer, I could handle that, but I'm not computer/ IT savy at all. Nevertheless, $200 for room correction seems like a bargain of an upgrade, so maybe I'll see if I can get help here or though Martin Logan to set it up. I never use the Bluetooth feature,  so I won't miss that. Maybe I can sell my Node or set it up in another room. I'm not sure how these "roon endpoint" things work, but I don't have roon, so I doubt I could use the node 2i in conjuction with the unison, so I could sell it or make a second system. I'm also am using an old Parasound Zdac that may be lower quality than the dac in the unison (your thoughts on which I should use?) I'm tempted to buy this and possibly improve my sound for only $200. Wish me luck and give me your thoughts.

Current integrated is a Yamaha A-S500 btw. Acoustic Energy Aegis 3 speakers.

@soix I'm just trying to gradually increase my sound quality by upgrading the weakest link, or item that would make the biggest bang for buck improvement. My budget is "poor". Which probably quantifies as $400 per month to spend on stereo.