STREAMER - WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?

Remember, Aurender, Innuos and some others offer entry level products that combine the server and the streamer in one box.  It’s a great idea for convenience, but sub-optimal for noise mitigation.  CPUs for servers typically require a lot more power than streamer CPUs, and therefore generate more noise.  So the entry-level Aurenders are noisier than their higher-priced products.  Therefore, if you want the convenience of a single-box solution, I whole-heartedly agree that it would be tough to get state-of-the-art performance for $2k.  That’s precisely why I recommend you keep your server separate from your streamer.  If you do, you can get a whole lot more performance for less $.

This is just silly reasoning trying to rationalize a faulty premise.  You do not get SOTA streamer performance from a $2k streamer even if it doesn’t have a server in it.  Anyone who thinks that has not heard a more expensive/better designed streamer or has limited resolution hearing/system.

lol!  Notice that the Aurender N150 is a one box solution that costs $3850. Aurender agrees that achieving state of the art performance requires separating the streamer from the server, so they offer the N50, a 3-box solution.  And it only costs $38,500!

Notice that the Aurender N150 is a one box solution that costs $3850. Aurender agrees that achieving state of the art performance requires separating the streamer from the server, so they offer the N50, a 3-box solution.  And it only costs $38,500!

Again, faulty logic.  Just because a streamer may or may not have a server does not mean that a $2k pure streamer can deliver SOTA streaming performance as you maintain.  Trying to justify that by bringing up that some streamers have servers is just a meaningless distraction and doesn’t have anything to do with that a $2k pure streamer does not provide SOTA streaming performance no matter how much you wanna believe that.  You might be able to sell that on ASR, but here most everyone will find your premise just laughable. 

To the OP:  I apologize for @soix .  I went thru a really tough divorce about 30 years ago, and my ex is still stalking me.  

To the OP:  I apologize for @soix .  I went thru a really tough divorce about 30 years ago, and my ex is still stalking me. 

Yet another unrelated deflection to try to distract from his initial ridiculous and indefensible statement that a $2k streamer offers SOTA performance.  Fortunately it seems the OP is wise enough to not pair a $2k streamer with his excellent DAC as that’s the most important thing here.