MHDT dac...and which streamer/server?


I've been sitting on the fence re streaming for years now, getting splinters you know where Lol.
Time to get off the fence.

So here's my dilemma. I love lp, have a heavily-modded analog rig that serves my 3k lp collection v well.

Critically, I have a special cdp, the Eera Tentation, that after 2 decades of searching for digital to sit happily alongside my tt and not be shown up, target achieved. I love playing my 1.5k cds.

Throw into the mix that I am a real stick in the mud on computers, hate them with a vengeance, w streaming leaving me cold as a personal human activity, I am a hugely reluctant adopter.

Plus, SO many streamer setups I visit just have a "cold" sonic signature, akin to cdps from 80s (which I know is a lot to do w noise and hash associated w how streamed music enters the home).
Only exception being an SGM 2015/Aqua Formula rig...at £30k all in.
...and lack of confidence I'll find 00s or 000s of albums to make the foray worthwhile.

Hence, my series of trade offs on streaming, choices, how much to spend, is far and away my biggest challenge in decision making in 22 years in this hobby.

Spend too little (Bluesound Node)...have a sound I'll wear of l/t
Spend too much (SGM, Innuos Statement)...have no cash to spend on lps and cds (yes, I still love cd collectors editions)
Don't spend enough (Innuos Zenith or SGC/Rendu maybe base level to not go below) and streaming is a sonic missed opportunity.

Throw in my "all fingers and thumbs" w using a tablet, and total lack of knowing what, and how much, is out there in my deep genre loves of prog, fusion, electric jazz, avant garde, prog ambient electronica, and there you have my intersecting pressures on a decision.
Although, more and more, I'm confident I'll find at least 250 albums I never would have easily on cd, and deffo not on lp.

Last issue is Roon. To Roon or not to Roon, conflicting advice here too.
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So here I am, open to all suggestions.
I could go Bluesound Node. I could go all in one Linn or Lindemann. I could go to Zenith or SGC/Rendu plus commensurate dac like Holo Springs Kitsune.

However, my eye is drawn to MHDT dac as my option. Not a bad word on SQ reported. Indeed users are punch drunk ecstatic on their choice...at under $1.5k, if it really isn't embarassed in any way by a 10x pricier Lampi GG, it seems a no brainer. Certainly a big contrast to the Chord Qutest I'm considering.
So at MDHT level, and knowing my reticence on this subject, but not wanting to shortchange myself on the streamer, which to consider?

I could go Chord2go/Hugo all in one.
I could go Stack Audio The Link.
Limetree Network Bridge.
DCS Bridge 
Innuos Zenith.
SGC i7/Rendu.
Obv, can look to save cash here buying used.

Dacs I'm looking at...MHDT Orchid or Pagoda (maybe w BBQ Audio mods), Holo Springs Kitsune, Schiit Yggy w USB update, Chord Qutest or Hugo TT.

Is there a streamer at the affordable end that performs out of it's skin, would be a great complement to the MHDT, easyish to use...and thus at an affordable but performance-led level, get me into streaming affordably...and keep me interested 12 months down the line.

Thanks for bearing w me guys, and the inside of my fevered mind Lol.


spiritofmusic
It comes with a "medical grade" SMPS it seems. My big decision really is whether relinquishing Roon early on is a mistake...will Roon make my early experience more enjoyable and fruitful. If that is the case, Innuos Zen Mk3 picks itself.
Roon:  Do you have a lot of music files currently, or plan to buy hi-res files, or rip your current cd's to files?  If so, it seems like the Zen Mk3 with Roon would be the way to go, as you would have a common interface/app (Roon) for both local and internet streaming, and a single box.  I think I read where the Roon music discovery features really shine is if you have your own library of music.  But I'm not sure.

Sorry if you've covered this already.

Most streamers today that have native internet streaming support can also connect with network storage for local file streaming - using a single app.

Deezer makes a personal channel of tracks/artists that are similar to the music that I choose to play over time.   They call it "Flow".  I love it.  I play it all day.  I think Tidal has the same thing.  Great way to discover new artists.



I resisted Roon for years simply because I baulked at the $119 a year.
I gave it a 14 day free trial after which I paid for a year and have not looked back.
I have Roon core running on a separate win10 laptop hooked up to my network, my ultrarendu is on the network and now passes signal via usb to Metrum Onyx dac ( replaced the Orchid yesterday).
Just my opinion but Roon  as an end user experience is outstanding, it has found music unknown to me that neither Qobuz or Spotify did with genre searches.

I love the way you can have your Roon remote on as many devices as you please, have multiple zones as I now have 4 separate Roon zones throughout the house.
Practicality is excellent, is their an uptick in SQ? Hard to tell tbh but it is certainly no worse!
In my system it blew the Orchid away but I think that is because the Orchid is tubes and it runs into my BAT which is also tubes.
Too many tubes and it lost some of the punch and dynamics I was looking for.
The Onyx while maybe not quite as musical is a lot more inciteful and has that big dynamic factor and an even wider and deeper soundstage if possible!
The Orchid sold in 48 minutes from listing it here... lol