Streaming DAC recommendation

Thank you all for your time and writing about all these product. If I were to pick a dedicated DAC and streamer with great UI. What would you recommend. Is PS Audio Direct-stream DAC MK2 mentioned here a good dedicated DAC?

I read a lot of reviews about HiFi Rose 150B, especially about the software and the integration. Will it make sense to use 150B and a separate DAC or just use the 150B. As far as Lumin, I love the hardware quality, looks like the app to control streaming sources are not great is what I understood after reading about it.

I would recommend Small Green Computer over Roon Nucleus.  Way cheaper, but integrates beautifully with Roon. And then that givesultimate flexibility for dac/streamer options.  I have 4 systems with four different dac/streamer options, and they all work seamlessly. (You can check my systems under my profile; I’m about to replace the Raspberry Pi in one system with a Pro-Ject S2 Stream Ultra.) My best is the Gold Note DS10, which combines streamer and DAC.

If you can stretch your budget a little, consider the Cary DMS 700 from Cary Direct.  They rarely come up used but should come in just under $5K if you can find one.

Well, lots of good recommendations here so I’ll add a couple more because I’m prone to complicate things.  First, I’d recommend a separate DAC and streamer.  Second, if user interface is important to you an Innuos streamer may be your best option.  As far as a DAC, that really depends on what kind of sound you’re looking for so need more info to make a recommendation there.

My recent experience echos those here who recommend separating server, streamer, and DAC.  I actually moved my server to a separate room with my modem and router, and their own dedicated power line, leaving my streamer and DAC in the room with my main system.

I also believe the streamer and especially the DAC can make a significant difference in the quality of sound you hear.  Adding a Sonore Signature Rendu SE Optical streamer to feed my DAC via USB was an improvement, and not just because of the optical connection because I was already using fiber connections.  However, I am still interested in trying out the Innuos Pulsar based on the many positive endorsements as well as the ability to compare their Sense app to Roon, which I use now.