New DAC or New Streamer or New Streamer/DAC

Just to clarify: one does not need a PC to use Roon. I have a Roon Ready streamer/server from Innous and Roon is installed there and works in principle like a Roon Nucleus. The Innuos has a drive, which I use for the few songs I cannot find on Tidal (Rammstein), hence a server as well as a streamer.

My Innous is, however, connected to my RME ADI-2 DAC via USB. 

I opted for this solution as I wanted to separate the streamer and server to be upgradeable for the future. And I opted for Roon to get all the information and reviews on the music, which I really appreciate as like to listen to new music. 

The solution with the Innous Zenmini against the Roon Nucleus was driven by price. 

Michael

Many suggest having all in one box solution (like the T2, Brooklyn Bridge, etc) due to eliminating the usb connection. Is the usb connection from streamer to the dac is as big of deal as many say (noise, jitter, etc) or over hyped? One benefit of the Lumin T2 is the usb output  so one could use a different DAC if they wish.

@lemonhaze I purchased the ps audio bridge ii, which puts a network input in my dac. 

@lemonhaze  And I use a "decent" ethernet cable, a Supra cable I bought off of Ebay.  Periodically a change in the system configuration has forced me to use another random cable and I haven't ever noticed a change, so I wouldn't focus on that variable a ton until everything else is totally dialed in.  And I say this believing strongly that interconnect, speaker, and power cables can make impactful changes to your system sound.  

And too elaborate a bit more on the setup, I use bubbleupnp on an android tablet to stream CD resolution music from Tidal to the PS Audio bridge.  The bridge is just wired into my router using that Supra ethernet cable.  

@keeferdog


"Check out Innous music servers. I’ve heard the 2.5k Zenith. It’s great. Can only imagine the high end Statement sounds like. Great build and sound quality from Poland."

Just to clarify, I believe you are referring to the Innuos Zen, not the Zenith, at that pricepoint. The Zenith is the model above the Zen and below the Statement which is I believe currently $4,300 US dollars. I believe you meant Portugal not Poland as the country of manufacture. Other that that....excellent post.