Dazed and confused about streamer upgrade


I started a thread in the amp/preamp section asking about an integrated amp upgrade and got some good advice that made re-think my upgrade path.  I have a Macintosh MA8900, driving Vandersteen Treo CT’s, with a six pack of Rel S510’s.  I use a BluOS Node 2i as a streamer.  No CD’s, no need for storage.  I had thought about upgrading the Mac to a Boulder 866, but am now thinking I may get a bigger improvement for less dollars by upgrading the BluOS next.  I don’t know much about DACs and streamers, but am thinking that I should look at streamers only, since the 866 has a good DAC, and why pay for a combo DAC/ Streamer when the DAC will be bypassed.   Suggestions for a $3k to $5k streamer?  Or stick with upgrading the Mac? Thanks for any help!
cosmic_charlie

Showing 2 responses by cosmic_charlie

@phaastm3
Nice—that is definitely all in on the Boulder!  Will look forward to your report!
Lots of good thoughts here, thanks for the responses.  Is there any consensus on whether a stand alone DAC, say in the $3k range, will be better than the built in DAC in the MA 8900, or the Boulder 866, or both?  In other words, how good are built in DACs, in amps in this price range?  Are they manufacturer throw-ins, or of a high quality, considering the cost of the amp?

And finally, if stand alones are, relatively speaking, generally better than built-ins, would you upgrade the streamer first or the DAC?