Favorite Streamer/DAC combo under 3k?

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.

NAIM