New DAC or New Streamer or New Streamer/DAC

Buy a streamer without a dac, and find the dac you like......much more flexibility this way.
I have a Lumin mini streamer, with a Chord Qutest dac, great match.

Willgolf - I just want to second your recommendation of LUMIN. I have been running my LUMIN D1 for over 4 years. Once Tidal got MQA files and I got my free upgrade to unfold them, I cannot believe the sound quality thru my Maggie’s. The app is simple, the unit has been bulletproof. I am considering an upgrade now that LUMIN is using the SABER DAC in it’s newer models. Any feedback here would be great!

Happy Listening

I have the T2 and it is really good. Using Roon also, I have never had any issues with the network. It is always ready to go and works great. I have tried it streaming in to the Marantz SA-10 and there is a slight improvement in some areas with that combo over the T2 only, though the T2 is really good at creating a 3-dimensional soundstage.  I have been wondering how the U1 mini might compare against the T2 for streaming only, perhaps someone like @audiotroy can weigh in.

I am with  mtdining (6 posts above) I racked my brain out over this whole music server thing. Tried a few options both inexpensive and pricey. Ended up with a Roon Nucleus feeding my DAC direct via USB. I am not sure why you would need anything else? The Nucleus is a server, with the capability of adding a hard drive containing your own library. And if you don't mind paying for Roon's subscription, you can't get a better music manager.

Thank you all for the input, still collecting thoughts.  As far as Servers and Roon, I am not interested.  I want to be rid of all servers and computers and USB inputs, I like the one box solutions that either have built-in DACs or non-USB digital outs that I can use the DAC of my choice.

A friend is bringing over his Auralic Vega G2 ($6k).  I am curious how it will compare with my Pass D1.  The problem (maybe its not a problem) is that I have not found anything to unseat the D1, and it's 22 years old!