The Best Budget Streamer with Built-in DAC

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.

I was thinking, what categories would I put budget streamers. So, I asked ChatGPT to come up with them:

How about a DAC with a built in streamer?

https://tmraudio.com/fresh-arrivals/ps-audio-perfectwave-directstream-dac-mki-bridge-ii-d-a-converter-no-remote/

WIIM Ultra is hands down the best value streamer/DAC on the market. I had a Bluesound Node, which was fine, but a switch of speakers in my office system to a pair of JM Lab/Focal Chorus (for that Focal tweeter!) Meant I needed a touch of DSP for the low end, which the Ultra has, and The Bluesound Node lacks..

When considering both SQ and feature set, the WIIM Ultra is maybe the greatest value in audio today, and a good case could be made for Best Value Component ever. Combine it with a pair of powered speakers and you have a complet system. Edifier, maybe Kanto to keep the system price under $1000. Genelec G3 would make an outstanding small room system under $2000. Above that, the sky's the limit before you'd feel any need to upgrade. Use it with KEF LS50 Wireless II? LS60? 

The WIIM Ultra also has a subwoofer out, and a phono input, but I've not tried either yet. I'm unlikely to drag my 50+ lbs of VPI into my office to find out. I assume its functional, if not noteworthy. Likewise, for the headphone section, however I will note it has enough power for my HIfiMan Sundaras, but I haven't listened enough to form any opinion. RCA, HDMI, USB, Coax, Fiber, WiFi6, RJ45, Bluetooth 5.3, and Alexa voice control round out a particularly thorough connectivity option set, while DSP and automatic room tuning features highlight the app. There's simply not much the WIIM Ultra cannot connect or do.