STREAMER - WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?

I agree with @mclinnguy 

The most highly regarded separate streamers on the market appear to be:

Taiko Extreme and Olympus

Pink Faun Ultra

Innous Nazare

Antipodes Oladra

XACT S1 Evo

They all have one thing in common - no screen on the unit. Aurender is a notable exception. The screen interface is a tablet used as a control device. It appears to be an intentional design choice. Of course, it’s not likely a huge compromise, but it’s worth noting I personally find my gear too far away to see anything anyway so the lack of a screen is entirely immaterial to me. Just thought I’d mention it.

Best,

@mgrif104 - I agree with you. 

Each of those, I believe, have music servers which I don't need at this point because I only stream.  Also, none of those machines are USB-optimized.  The other issue with those machines are their prices which range from $20k to over $70k : 

That's water that I can't swim in.  The Rex 3 DAC's price was stretch for me, but I had little choice because it is now no longer produced.  It was not a commercial success and my understanding is that Playback Designs only supplied BAT with a few D/A boards.  The Rex 3 uses the Playback Design's DA section and then builds an extraordinary tube analog section that includes insane power supplies and tubes. 

With that said, even though it doesn't have a screen, I am seriously considering finding a Innuos Pulsar because its ARC6 reclocking, which is proprietary to Innuos, and ultra‑low‑noise USB stage are specifically engineered for DACs like the REX 3.  The Pulsar and the $55k Navarre may be the only other machines in this conversation that challenge the RS130 in terms of its compatibility with the Rex 3 DAC and the a Navarre is priced far above my willingness to pay.  

I suspect that any streamer that I purchase will not be the last, but I want a machine that if, I find it necessary to keep, it's one that I can live with for a long time.  

@patrickalston 

Noted on the budget constraint. I was originally mentioning these machines because they lack of screen. When seeking performance, I thought it notable the most respected in the field lack this feature. 

I do want to clarify that the XACT S1 (and Evo upgrade) are both USB optimized - indeed USB is the only output they have. The S1 I believe is roughly $15k while the Evo is $18k. Still out of reach, but clarifying in case others have some interest. 

I have heard the Pulsar at my local dealer while auditioning other gear. It is excellent and I would expect you to find its performance very satisfying.

Best,

@patrickalston  You might want to investigate the Matrix NT-1 DAT ($4 - 4.5k USD). At least several credible reviews allege its (USB) performance to be stellar and on par with pricier hardware. This seems plausible due to meticulous attention given to noise suppression via its power supply and digital transmission architecture. Yes, it has features you don't need, but it seems to be on the leading edge of the price-to-performance envelope and well into the realm of diminishing returns. 

@ted_b looks interesting--well built.  I went through the Matrix website; however, its best performance is not through USB.  Both the Pulsar and RS130 are better matches. . .and, even if it were better than the other two and priced less, my personal preference is not to have components from its country of origin in my system.

My preference is always to purchase domestic US components.  Unfortunately, those that make transports, PS Audio, Sonore, Wyred 4 Sound, Mojo Audio and Empirical Audio, are less compatible for my DAC than the Pulsar and the RS130.