99% of these respondents probably use usb to the dac, and if this is the case, the best sound you will get is mediocre at best.
Change your test: get a dac that uses Ethernet (which is far superior than usb) and test different servers. Your results will be much different. I used to use 1 of the better steamers mentioned above with usb and then when I switched the dac to use Ethernet and/or i2s, I sold my streamer.
1 more test: use i2s going to the dac (i2s is also superior to usb) and test different servers. Again, your results will be very different.
Help settle a streaming argument!
This is a SQ argument and is as follows- I argue if you connect your streamer to an outboard DAC the streamer does not matter it’s just serving the music to the outboard DAC to do the work. Therefore, buy a basic streamer. The other is that you need to buy a top quality streamer and DAC to get great SQ.
I liken it to cd players or the more pretentious cd transport argument- if the intent is to connect to outboard DAC the cd player doesn’t matter the outboard DAC DOES!
features and functionality aside! Thoughts…..