STREAMER - WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?

@jameslcroak I agree with you about higher resolution.  Unless you own vinyl why would anyone want to start and this is where I'm at this moment.  I have an Innuos Pulsar and Accuphase DC-37 Processor/DAC and the resolution is incredible.  My Pulsar gives me incredible PRAT,  imaging and detailed etc so why would I consider an alternate source? And while there are some extremely incredible turntables how do you measure them against an incredible sounding streamer/DAC? I couldn't sleep one evening so I slipped into my man cave and listened to Bobo Stenson Trio's "Cantando" and then an album called  strangely called "The Gathering - Guitar Various Artists 2024" and I was utterly enthralled by the music and the ease of streaming it right from the comfort of my chair. 

I've had the opportunity to demo and own various streamers and there is a huge difference between a good one and an exceptionally great one.  Regardless what some people will tell you there's more to it than just 0s and 1s. Power supply, isolation make a huge difference.  Think about it, if all streamers are alike then the same could be said about vinyl. Not to mention a really good turntable with a terrible cartridge is like a sport's car with misaligned tires - crap.

You’re using tube amps but looking for an “end game” streamer vs a DMP-A8….

🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

…all outperform feature-heavy units like the Eversolo DMP-A8 when feeding a reference DAC.

100% false by any objective metric known. 

I’m late to this discussion but thought I’d add my $.02

You might look into the XACT S1 (and S1 Evo). Elegantly simple - runs JPLAY natively and reportedly sounds absolutely superb. Only output is USB.

Please note - I have not yet auditioned these units but expect to in the next few months. I’m relaying information provided by others I respect who have direct knowledge and experience.  They are (reportedly) significantly better sounding than the entire Aurender line (all the way up to the N50) and the Innous line (Nazare excepted as no one I know has heard it yet.

While I’m also considering the Pink Faun Ultra and Antipodes Oladra, those two are significantly more expensive though absolutely worth a look if your budget allows.

Just get a decent (e.g. Cardas Clear) USB cable.  Keep the A8.

The A8 has wide options, it support essentially every streaming service, internet radio (sometimes useful for NPR), Apple Airplay - better sound from You Tubes - etc.

If you have CDs to rip, you can add an SSD and a cheap USB drive from Staples - or you can play CDs.

When you use USB the data is buffered in the DAC and the DAC's clock is in control, avoiding distortions caused by jitter in the source.

See @mclinnguy he summarizes it well