Does the 'Buck' Start with the DAC?

Been looking to finally add a dedicated streamer to my set up. I'm starting small with the SotM SMS 200 Neo. 

During my research - there's a massive thread on the new Sonore OpticalModule and quite a bit of feedback noting the improvement of feeding a streamer with fiber (or "cleaning" the ethernet signal). This device along with some power supply upgrades will be my next few purchases. 

Eventually the plan is to work up to 50:50 split between streamer and DAC. 

Just plugged in my SOtM SMS 200 Neo (~ 600 CAD).  Suffice to phenomenal gains !

TLDR: 20k system will realize very strong gains from using a hifi streamer vs basic computer.  

For background - my system is worth about ~ 20k:
- Basic Computer
- SU-1 KTE
- Rockna Wavedream SE DAC
- LTA MicroZOTL pre
- Pass XA25
- Tannoy Eaton
- Audio Sensibility Statement cables throughout

I shied away from a streamer just because I use this computer for everything and as a TV, so I didn't want to have 3 remotes switching back and forth (basically 1st world problems).

I decided to start small on the streamer (replacing the basic computer) - hence the SOtM purchase.  

Unreal.  The refinement in sound stage, imaging, low level detail and bass is quite astounding.  Everything you would expect a better digital signal to produce. 

For reference - the gains realized are larger than going from a Yggy to the Rockna, and bigger than moving from the FW F7 to a Pass XA25 (from a detail perspective, although this is more subjective - I still really enjoy the F7).

As next steps - I will be looking at bringing in a Sonore OpticalModule, and linear power supplies.  Ultimately moving to an end game streamer in the 4-5k range over the next couple years.  

@thyname 

In terms of the topic of this thread - it's hard to say which contributes more to the sound (DAC/streamer).  It's sort of a chicken and egg scenario, a better DAC will help, but without a streamer to unlock it, you won't get the most out of the DAC.  Leads me to believe 50:50 is the appropriate ratio.  

@skanda

It really is a phenomenal DAC.  What's interesting is I used to only use it in NOS mode, as the upsampling filters tended to thin out the sound.  Post streamer - that is no longer an issue, and it sounds absolutely sublime.  It's incredible how a streamer really ties everything together in the system.  I'm shocked how much music I was missing with a 20k system !

In terms of streamers that have caught my eyes - I like both the Rockna and the Musica Pristina units as they both support i2s, which would allow me to offload the SU1 KTE (USB -> i2s converter) and recoup more funds when I upgrade. 

I also like the Musica Pristina as it is a pure streamer, so I'm not paying for a CD drive, hard drive etc., which I will not use.  I'm purely Tidal via Roon.  That leads me to believe I'm getting more bang for my buck in terms of sound quality (or alternatively it is just overpriced !). 

Unfortunately not many reviews out outside of one agon user with the older A Capella II model (which is quite old).