Looking for High Quality Streamer Only Options (NO DAC)?


I'm looking to find a dedicated streamer, ideally <$2k. Here are the objectives: 

1. Must be Roon Ready

2. No internal DAC

3. USB, Optical or Digital Coax input

4. Great quality to feed an outboard DAC. 

The idea here is to hopefully avoid paying for an internal DAC and just by a stable streamer, giving the manufacturer the ability to dump all the parts and labor costs into the streaming side only. In other words, why pay for an internal DAC I won't use.  

 

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Innuos was on my shortlist when I was in the market for a streamer without a DAC, However, in the end I purchased an Esoteric with a DAC. Unless your DAC is something really special, I’d suggest purchasing one with a DAC, that is also special. 

You do not need to spend big $ to get top-notch performance:

iFi Zen Stream: $400

Primare NP5 Prisma: $750

Holo Audio Red: $800

Pro-ject Stream Box S2 Ultra: $900

Volumio Rivo: $1100

 

Lindemann Audiotechnik Limetree Bridge II or the new Lindemann Woodnote Solo streamers.

 

Thank you All!  Great suggestions for research. 

I like hearing that I can get great quality without spending $5k.  I have two DACs that I like here. My Marantz PMKI Ruby SACD/DAC and Linear Tube Audio Aero.  I don't want to give them up. 

I have on loan from a friend a Lumin T3.  It sounds amazing. I'm using its DAC now. Really nice all around. But, a couple things I don't like.  The Lumin has no power button, which makes it wonky to reboot the unit--odd for a $5k machine.  Also, for $5k the display looks like my Speak and Spell from 1982. For $5k? I get putting all the money into parts, etc. But you've got to be kidding me. 

@mdalton ,  very intriguing. I may buy a couple of these and see how they hold up against the expensive competition.  The Holo looks great but the wait time for it to be built is long!