DAC options to consider for Innuos streamer

After I went through a DAC upgrade from my Mac DAC2 board (C2700) it took a significant amount $ to beet it in all respects. Few I tried were just side steps for a slight different sound. Your going to have to spend upwards of $3000+ to get any real upgrade, everything else IMO is just a side step for a slightly different sound. I ended up with a Chord Dave (used) but I'd say the same for the TT at much less money then the Dave. you're really going to have to audition DAC's do not buy unheard or you may be surprised how good the DAC2 board is.

Also considering the DAC2 board has an excellent HDMI ARC connection for a TV integration (if needed). No other DAC I've seen at this level has HDMI ARC, for me this was pivotal for movies and TV-apple 4k TV box streaming (2ch).  noting I use the apple 4k box for primarily background music and TV. 

A dac to pair with pulsar ... 

Soulnote d-2 with external clock .

Haven't heard better yet ! 

Opening Pandora's Box.  

I have an Innuos Pulse with the Innuos Phoenix USB (together they are similar to the Pulsar) going into a PS Audio DirectStream Mk 1.  I have enjoyed the combination, but realized there was more to pull out of my system.  Yesterday I ordered a Bricasti M1S2.  This should be my final DAC for many years.

The Innuos products deserve excellent DACs.  My understanding is the Innuos listening room uses the Statement NG going streaming into the Chord M-Scaler, then the Dave.  Lots of bucks there.

Mola Mola Tambaqui is great sounding for the money.  I am using Zenith SE with mine.

A few recommendations:

1.  The Innuos greatly benefits from isolation:  Nordost SortKones (BC or better yet TC) and even better Stillpoints.

2.  Synergistic Research fuses on both.

3.  Get a really great USB cable.

4.  And… most importantly:  The Innuos Sense app sounds significantly better than the Roon (I use both as I prefer the Roon experience but Sense SQ is superior).  If you are going to use the Roon: try converting the output from flac to DSD64 or DSD128 inside of the Roon system.  I have found this results in the most natural sound and best overall SQ for Roon…  The Tambaqui loves DSD signal!  But even this doesn’t quite get to Sense level.

Good luck!