I see you say you have decided on the Audiolab. From what I have read they appear to be a good unit in that price range.
If you have not purchased the Audiolab yet I would like to suggest looking into another option from a company that rarely gets mentioned. Nord Acoustics Easy Stream Connect DAC 9038.
Nord is a UK based company that from everything I have read appears to make great products at their price point. Many people that have systems comprised of relatively expensive gear seem to be quite pleased with their DACs, streamers and class D amplifiers.
The Easy Stream Connect DAC 9038 is a streamer with built in DAC using the ES 9038 chip. If you want to use an external DAC it has the option to do it via digital or coaxial out.
I do not currently own one. I am waiting on delivery of mine now. At roughly $300 US I figure it's worth a try. ALL of the owners on the sites that have used both the Bluesound Node 2i and Easy Stream Connect DAC say that the Nord Acoustics product wins by a long shot.
If you have not purchased the Audiolab yet I would like to suggest looking into another option from a company that rarely gets mentioned. Nord Acoustics Easy Stream Connect DAC 9038.
Nord is a UK based company that from everything I have read appears to make great products at their price point. Many people that have systems comprised of relatively expensive gear seem to be quite pleased with their DACs, streamers and class D amplifiers.
The Easy Stream Connect DAC 9038 is a streamer with built in DAC using the ES 9038 chip. If you want to use an external DAC it has the option to do it via digital or coaxial out.
I do not currently own one. I am waiting on delivery of mine now. At roughly $300 US I figure it's worth a try. ALL of the owners on the sites that have used both the Bluesound Node 2i and Easy Stream Connect DAC say that the Nord Acoustics product wins by a long shot.