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

@cat345 - agree. I have auditioned a few speakers since I first asked the question but none of the dealers have DA2. I love what DA1 (MA7200) generates and I’m guessing DA2 will be in the same vein. 

But in the last two days I heard MA 252 and MA352 and ended up purchasing the latter. The streamer + DAC used for it was the hifi rose 150b. BEAUTIFUL music. 
 

Maybe the DA2 will be a purchase in the future for another room. I’m still curious about the source of music for y’all where you’re bypassing all other DACs and use the DA2. 
 

I’m running the Sonore Signature Rendu SE into my C53 with DA2. It’s really so soothing and enjoyable. It’s truly an incredible combo. 

I know it's hard to imagine a built in DAC sounding so good you'd spend thousands to better it , but it sounds that good.  

Sorry to revive an older thread but I wanted to share my experience.  I have a C2700 preamp and just tried streaming into the DA2 DAC for the first time.  I found the sound quality to really bad.  In fact, my Dragonfly Red DAC is dramatically better than the DA2.  It’s not even close.  I tried a blind A/B comparison with 2 other listeners and both had the same opinion.  Have any of you experienced an extended burn-in period with the DA2?  Does it get better with time?  If so, how long?

Well, up until @podosound, this love fest for DA2 had me totally convinced. I have a C47 with a non-upgradeable DAC section. Amp is a MC312. I stream from an EverSolo A6. I’ve been looking to upgrade my DAC choice and was thinking of spending $3-4K.  The MDA200 is...well, $4K.

I love the idea of that nice, clean McIntosh façade in my rack, if the DA2 is a comparable choice at $4K. The upgrade option McIntosh provides is really appealing.

Podosound, what is your input to the DA2? Are there compatibility issues with the DA2 with any particular streamers?