DAC question - is music streamer DAC better than mcintosh DA2?

The DAC is probably good but not at the level of the amp.

I have a MA 12000 also, with NOS tubes. I like it! The Dac in my Lumin T2 is a touch better than the DA2. But the DA2 beats the heck out of Bluesound Nodes, Cambridge's and the like. Plus... Whenever McIntosh decides to come out with a DA3, it is upgradeable. Buy once, cry once. Another thing I love about the integrated's is fewer power cords and interconnects. Now instead of purchasing many different cables, I can purchase one higher end cable. They add up! 

It was better then a few streamers i've had, including an Aurender A10. Mines in a C2700. took a much more expemcive DAC to outprefomr it. I'd say 4$k and up to get better. not different as many are just that.  

I started with an MA5300, after 1 year, upgraded to a MA8950.  I stream with a Bluesound. Node 2i.  I have two set of wonderful bookshelf speakers, Sonus Faber and Dynaudio (I know, crazy but I can’t decide which ones I like better).  I am always astounded by the beautiful sound I get out of this system and for quite a while, Ive been thinking of upgrading the streamer but haven’t cause what I got sounds that good.  From my research, I trust that the Dac module in the 8950 is perfectly competent. While hard to imagine a big improvement by upgrading the streamer, I know that’s where I should put my money, not in a DAC.  

@john1629 

Yes better streamers will net you better sound… I agree with you, it is usually hard to see how… until you hear the difference, then you know.

Sonus Faber and DynAudio are great speakers. If you could decide which you like better and sell both and upgrade at 2x you would probably be even happier.