STREAMER - WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?

Hello @patrickalston and hello @soix !

I guess a good thing I am just seeing this as it is as usual contentious.  I would say to you OP that @soix is as usual giving good advice.  I have owned many streamers which I will list, and have used them with different DACs, and can easily say that a good streamer takes a great DAC to another level.  I was once told my Tambaqui was a Lamborghini and I was feeding it regular gas...

My streamer history:

Macbook

Dedicated Mac Mini

Bluesound Node

Auralic Aries G2

XACT S1 (extended demo)

Grimm MU1 (still own)

Auralic Aries G2.2

Pink Faun Scion (recent purchase and still own).

Without a doubt, on  my systems and to my ears, each and every upgrade made a significant difference.  And note, my Scion was my last purchase to an already optimized system.  And it took it to another level.

My Tambaqui likes the AES input of my Grimm MU1, and my Master Fidelity Nadacs (like your BAT) want a USB input.  Regardless, the better the streamer the better the sound.  But don't get a Grimm if you want USB!

I am not saying anyone should spend 20k on a streamer.  But I am saying at a certain level it makes sense and is worth it (to me).

Anyone who flatly denies it makes a difference is IMHO wrong, likely has not heard a great streamer comparably in a great system, or can't hear the difference.

Congrats on the great system you have built...and don't be afraid to get a non tubed streamer since you should have plenty of tube warmth already!

@idrachman asked, "...what is your primary digital source - local files and/or streaming. "  

RESPONSE:  I purchased the Eversolo DMP-A8 when it first came out based on a recommendation from my brother. It's a fine, mid-grade all-in-one streamer/DAC/preamp, but I think my DAC deserves better. 

@idrachman also wrote "Your DAC hopefully has a great clock and yes, USB is asynch so jitter, etc. should be addressed by the DAC"

RESPONSE - The REX 3 is an asynchronous USB DAC with a low-noise OCXO clock isolated from the analog tube section designed for extremely low time error and minimal jitter.  So, yes, it has a great clock.  Unfortunately, the Rex 3 DAC is no longer available because, I'm told, that BAT was only able to receive a limited number of boards from Playback Designs. 

@fastfreight I agree with you. . .and, yes, I want a streamer that maximizes USB.  Based on my research, the top contenders for me would be the Innous Pulsar or Stream3 and the RS130.  I suspect the best of the bunch is the Stream3. 

You wrote ". . .and don't be afraid to get a non tubed streamer since you should have plenty of tube warmth already."

RESPONSE:  I'm not sure that a standalone tubed streamer makes sense. My understanding is tubes are analog and provide digital output to the DAC.  

And, yes, I have plenty of tubes to deal with:  60 total:  18 in the preamp, 12 in each amp, two in the tuner, 10 in the phono stage, and six in the DAC.

I'm sure that I won't spend $20k on a streamer.  (I'm still cramping from the DAC's price, but I had to bite the bullet because BAT no longer offers a DAC and I was committed to a BAT infrastructure)  Besides, I'll need some cash when I move away from my wonderful electrostats to the Kef Blade or Sonus Faber Amati.  Also, considering moving up from my outstanding VK-120 amps to the glorious BAT Rex monoblocks.  Soon, I'll shed my turntable (which I've only used once), phono stage, boxes and boxes of sealed vinyl and perhaps even my Reel-to-Reel.  Then, I'll be done.  

@patrickalston Thanks for the reply.  As some have said, only a direct A/B comparison with different devices would you be able to determine if there is a sonic benefit, as long as the software it supports meets your expectation (usability/capability).  Not sure if you've seen the other devices offering (like Aurender, LUMIN), or if they support 3rd party software like ROON or Audirvana. As mentioned, the LUMIN U2 or U2X should fit your requirements (USB output) and hopefully meet your budget.  

I got Matrix audio Nt-1. The streamer is really good.

Has both giga LAN and optical 

Galvanic isolated USB and I2s output

Femto clock with FPGA control

Touch screen

Well designed native app that works well on Android iOS 

I have about 130,000 tracks in my NAS and the app read all of them no problem in its library 

HQPlayer NAA is supported and works well. You need version 5 desktop 

I use NT1 with holo may kte dac and they are match made in heaven, especially HQPlayer DSD 512 upsample via I2s. HQPlayer USB DAC correction is an impressive feature but after evaluating I still prefer I2S 

NT1 didn’t sound engaging out of box. Sounded good, clearly better than my previous streamer, holo red. However, after about 150 hours, it sounded really smooth without losing top end details. Bass is super tight clean deep. Mid range is supple and touch warm but that might be because of my dac but with my speakers they are just right. It creates deep and wide soundstage. Music is well separated and each instrument and voice has a nice definition. Compare to my vinyl setup, it doesn't sound as toneally rich and smooth but evrything else sounds no pun intended equals or better in some aspect 

@panerai557  -   Based on what I’ve read, the Matrix seems to be an excellent streamer, but I need something that’s USB-optimized (which the Matrix is not) to mate with my DAC’s USB-first architecture.