DAC’s

@shtr74sims 
I am with @ghdprentice on this one. The MA3 is decent enough but still requires you to source an external device to run ROON core. Which is another whole bag of tricks you need to put together in order to take full advantage of MA3.

Before you finalize your DAC purchase, narrow down your options for streamer or server. These two components must take full advantage of tech on board (USB or SPDIF connectivity) and superiority of Internal clocks in either DAC or Streamer.

And lastly, based on the quality of your streamer/server; network optimization would be the next step to fully realize the potential of digital streaming.

“I use Roon with a Brinkmann Nyquist. I don't need a Roon Core. Only a subscription to Roon and the Brinkmann does the rest.”
@gdnrbob 

I am curious to know, how are you using ROON app without Core. The manufacturer description says Nyquist is Roon Ready or Tested. My understanding of ROON is you must have Core running on a server for ROON app to work properly. BTW, Nyquist DAC remains high on my wish list to audition someday. 

@tomic601 

That’s my understanding as well. Maybe @gdnrbob found a way to run Roon app without Core. That would be a quite a feat and hence my curiosity. 
. 

“He is true gentleman”
@tomic601 

Takes one to know one :-) 

“This is my first dac and the lumin t3 is prob the easiest to get into to start.”
@shtr74sims

Good call! The T3 has a pretty darn good DAC on board and LUMIN app is well laid out for easy browsing. You don’t have to mess with external NUC type of devices for ROON Core or ROON subscription. One very important factor which is often overlooked in purchasing a streamer is ongoing software maintenance and support from the manufacturer.

@gdnrbob 

That’s a sweet setup! Thanks @thyname ​​@jjss49 for closing the loop on this mystery :-) 

@ghdprentice

There is nothing strange about holmz lackluster attitude towards streaming, here is one of his earlier replies in the thread,

“Yeah - I am not much of streaming guy”