STREAMER - WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?

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

RESPONSE:  Not sure what you mean.  I'm looking for an endgame streamer.  Period.  My search has nothing to do with the A8 beyond wanting a dedicated streamer.  I've owned the A8 for two years and focused on other parts of my system.  So, it's the only reference point that I've lived with. 

I was curious about the basis for your comment ". . .as long as he’s (i.e., me) using the tube amps and BAT DAC, there is absolutely no way he is going to hear differences in streamer quality.”

@patrickalston Given your recent DAC purchase and comments, you might consider Innuos’ track record in designing streamers with emphasis upon USB as the primary mode of digital transmission - a realm in which Innuos’ engineering excels. Having experimented with various USB isolators and regenerators, I can attest to how a standalone Phoenix USB unit has performed in my own system against all skepticism. The Pulsar is now discontinued, but any current offering with optional Phoenix USB output board should be a worthy contender for endgame status. 

@ted_b I couldn't agree with you more! There's more to a streamer than just ZEROS and ONES. Things are even more noticeable when paired with a really good DAC, despite what the skeptics will tell you.  I tried several streamers and DACS  and I can attest to how good Innuos products are. 

@patrickalston you’re placing to much stock in that your DAC needs an asynchronous usb only streamer.  Don’t get me wrong I’ve owned both Aurender and Innuos.  I happen to prefer the sound signature of Innuos.  But I auditioned the N20 using usb and can attest it sounded wonderful.   Who knows, you may prefer the warmer smoother sound of Aurender.   As I’ve already mentioned they’re both great players with great tech support.  You should really audition a N20 before just writing it off for a technical reason.  It also has a pretty big screen🤓

I think @helomech is simply saying that generally speaking, tube gear is noisier than solid state, and therefore the benefits of spending more on streamers are diminished, given that the sonic difference across streamers are about noise levels.  There are some exceptions in tube amps and preamps, cases where their signal to noise ratios exceed 110 db for example, but it’s a good question to consider.  To substantialy oversimplify the point, if the difference between 2 streamers is that one has a 120 db snr and the other has a 115 db and, you will almost certainly not hear the difference between the two if your preamp has an snr of 95 db. Not a criticism, btw, as all 3 of my quality systems are tube-based.