The Best Budget Streamer with Built-in DAC

The WiiM Ultra is a ridiculous value. Not only does it have one of the best UIs, it’s onboard DAC sounds pretty darn good. 

I agree with @moonwatcher . Creating a list of "Best Budget Streamers with Built-in DAC" is like creating a list of best budget turntables with built-in phono preamplifiers. They exist, and people buy them. But they are the best of the worst.

In the case of streamers, separates don't cost much more or require much more space. But the performance envelope is considerably greater.

I have owned a Moon 280D for a year now and I am very happy with it. My stereo is in the $50,000 + range, but the Moon 280D with an excellent iPad interface was only $4K. I don't know if that's budget, but they're guaranteed for 10 years and I've seen them on the used market for about half the new price.

The Moon 280D is stripped down. No window to see what you're playing (I look at my iPad or phone). It's just for streaming and making a very musical sound. The reviews I've read say it punches above its weight because it is so stripped down. Although it has generous inputs and outputs. Just no much froufrou.

After 50 years as an audiophile I have a pretty good ear, and the Moon 280D sounds extremely musical. Is it the last word in detail? Probably not, but I don't really hear that when I'm listening to a high res album. If you can find one used for $2K or so, I'd snap it up. Audiogon had one but somebody else snapped it up.

Lumin D1, D2, T2 = All day long!

Creating a list of "Best Budget Streamers with Built-in DAC" is like creating a list of best budget turntables with built-in phono preamplifiers. They exist, and people buy them. But they are the best of the worst.

I think it’s a question of preferences and personal circumstances. In the same way as turntable with built-in phono stages and also integrated amps, people who buy them usually value their small footprint and convenience.

In the case of budget products, in some cases, it’s a way for some people to start their hi-fi journey and the goal here is to make sure that these people access the best possible price/performance ratio. Once they get a taste for it, they might further down the line invest in separates. In the same way as a turntable with built-in phono, people start with these as they are accessible and easy to use and once they get more serious about it, they might invest in an external phono preamp.
The higher-end you go the less integrated the products are anyway, with the exception maybe of integrated amps, with now very high-end models as manufacturers understand that some people like their convenience.