Audiophile Setup with an Iphone 7

If budget is open, the aforementioned Ayre should be a good option.

 The Ayre comments were good but I don't think the OP wants to build a Rasberry PI device.

So the questions the OP should ask himself are:

1: How good do I want it to be which will affect budget?
2: Headphones only or a system with an amplifier for future speakers?
3: Is the size and complexity of the setup an issue? 
4: Do I want the convience of having an app?
5: Do I require of possibly like the ability to stream other sources than Tidal to the system?
6: Is Roon or MQA something I know about or care to maybe play with?
7: Is portability something that matters?
8: Which Audize headphones are going to be used?

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

Hi Wiilemj.

I understand that toslink offers noise isolation and, if bit-perfect, it should be comparable with other streamers.

Check out this article on Chromecast as a streamer.

https://darko.audio/2016/07/not-as-the-artist-intended-google-chromecast-audio-w-tidal/

DAR is an experinced audio journalist and reviewer and I believe one of the best sources for independent information on digital audio.

For two years I used a Chromecast Audio (digital out via toslink) and was very happy to use it for Spotify Connect but the Aries is my go to source for better SQ.

FyI The Aries recently had a software upgrade and has Spotify Connect and so my Chromecast is no longer in use. 

Thanks for the link. I read the Darko piece, but note (not for the first time) that he presents no hard evidence for what on theoretical grounds is a pretty implausible argument. I honestly do not think he is someone to take very seriously. Anyway, that is my take. See here for what I think is a far more solid review: http://archimago.blogspot.nl/2016/02/measurements-google-chromecast-audio_27.html

I am very pleased with my Pro-Ject Dock Box S Digital. Manufacturer's website:  http://box-designs.com/main.php?prod=dockboxsdigital. It is a discontinued product, but as of January 2018 Amazon still had a few at $199.00 US. The internal DAC is very good and the sound quality is noticeably superior to the iPhone 7's internal DAC or a bluetooth connection. The included remote is somewhat useful. Nice feature is that the phone charges while docked.

I bought mine a few years ago to replace an Arcam rDock-uni (which sounded even better), Unfortunately, I fried the Arcam by connecting it to the wrong DC adapter (DOH!) and repairing it was going to cost almost $300.

I use mine connected to an Exposure 2010S integrated AMP, B&W 705 "bookshelf" speakers, and a B&W ASW 700 subwoofer.