Favorite Streamer/DAC combo under 3k?

eversolos are nicely designed, richly featured, pretty well made, thus representing excellent value for $ -- but support in the face of problems is iffy due to lack of us/north america onshore representation or customer care -- they have some usa retailers but it seems to me these are pretty much ’move the boxes’ outfits

on the offshore side, though, there do seem to be plenty of caring people at the home base company paying attention -- as there are many frequent firmware updates (actually a pretty astounding number of these...)

i have personal ownership experience with a couple eversolo pieces, and i would say that based on these data points this brand seems to subscribe to a cool, clear and incisive sound signature ...definitely uptilted with a slightly leaned out midrange and midbass... certain systems will benefit from this if there is synergy with this sonic profile, while detractors will complain it all sounds rather ’digital’

The Lumin D3 is right around $3k new and sounds great. I use it in a second system, it sounds like a junior version of my Lumin U1x (soon to upgrade to U2x). The Aurender A1000 is pretty nice as well. It sells for around $3500 but you should be able to find a dealer who will give a discount. 

If you are willing to buy second hand the options open up more. Various Lumin, Aurender, Auralic, Naim, Hifirose, and others. 

MOON 280D MIND2 by SIMAUDIO ….. highly recommended 

Bonus:

-  best in class 10 year warranty from new

- unparalleled upgrade investment recovery: 75% dealer trade-in value within 1st year; 50% trade-in-value within yr 2.

- made in Canada and top support 

Sample reviews: 

https://darko.audio/2021/07/refined-precision-moon-by-simaudios-280d-streaming-dac/

https://stereonet.com/reviews/simaudio-moon-280d-dac-review

https://www.extremehifi.com/product/moon-280d-558E

I should have added, I'd prefer one with a screen.

No one’s mentioning the difference DAC hardware architectures - there’s a lot of DAC’s with Delta-Sigma chips vs. DAC’s with R 2-R ladder hardware.  (There’s other types as well, but these are the two I’ll speak to.). You should dig-in a bit to find out if you like the transparency (albeit somewhat clinical) sound of the Delta-Sigma or the more ‘analog’ (musical sound) of the R 2-R.  I personally went for an Eversolo A6 with a Denafrips Pontus 15th (R 2-R ladder) which sounds pretty great to my ears.  Pretty damn close to vinyl in some instances.  Total Price was $2800.