@artemus_5 I actually just recently helped someone with this same question.
My advice is to consider the DAC first, because that's going to have the biggest influence on the sound character and maybe you'll like how the DAC in a network streaming DAC sounds, but maybe you won't like it as much as some other standalone DAC.
Likewise, the software and convenience of the network streamer will play a big part in how much you enjoy listening to music. You will also want to consider whether or not you need support for services like Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, etc.
If you end up liking the DAC in a network streaming DAC, and you like the software and hardware of the same network streaming DAC, you're good to go. But otherwise separate units gives you more flexibility as I think you've also concluded.
Some other brands you may want to consider are Lumin, Bryston, Trinnov, and Devialet.
My advice is to consider the DAC first, because that's going to have the biggest influence on the sound character and maybe you'll like how the DAC in a network streaming DAC sounds, but maybe you won't like it as much as some other standalone DAC.
Likewise, the software and convenience of the network streamer will play a big part in how much you enjoy listening to music. You will also want to consider whether or not you need support for services like Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, etc.
If you end up liking the DAC in a network streaming DAC, and you like the software and hardware of the same network streaming DAC, you're good to go. But otherwise separate units gives you more flexibility as I think you've also concluded.
Some other brands you may want to consider are Lumin, Bryston, Trinnov, and Devialet.