I recommend looking at this from the high level / sound quality perspective. Merits of the particular technologies… say R2R… etc. become irrelevant in the larger picture of the design of the component and each subcomponent chosen within the box… well, for that matter the box as well. So concentrate on the overall components.
If you want to assemble a good sounding system. Then you will want to concentrate on a streamer box and DAC to plug into your preamp. While there are many combined units, they severely limit flexibility in upgrading and generally do not sound as good as separate boxes (too much stuff crammed into a box). Since streamers are a bit newer than the DACs… it is hard to get the very best streamer and DAC in the same box at any given price level.
Choosing the right streamer / DAC will depend on the rest of your system. As I have built systems over the decades typically I end up with a system with each box very roughly of the same cost. You cannot make decisions based on cost… but very generally they reflect the amount of design effort, component cost, and assembly time. So, just generally. I bring this up, because folks tend to think that going cheap on the streamer is appropriate… it is not. It is every bit as important as the preamp or amp.
I have experience with components from the $500 to over $20K… more on the high end than the low end (see my virtual systems). But I can assure you that as you move up… say from the $1K component, doubling the investment repeatedly to over $20K there is a very profound and important improvement in the sound quality at each level (if you have done your homework and found the best for the price, compatible with your equipment and tastes). In general, all aspects of sound quality improve: transparency, tonal character, detail, noise floor, dynamics, imaging, rhythm and pace… etc.
I highly recommend looking at Aurender streamers… at the highest level you can afford (I own two). Each level up is a significant improvement in all aspects of sound over the lower. A very high quality DAC is required as well. I like Audio Research, and Berkeley… although there are a number of very good DACs for over $5K
Listening is the best way to evaluate, but this requires experience. DACs like other audio components are easily broke into hyper detailed vs natural / musical. Many folks want detail at any cost… the problem for me with that is they often remove the music and natural sound and they become sterile. Reading and listening, be cautious of reviews touting highly detailed / analytical or you can end up with a scientific instrument for extracting detail that does not make your foot tap and is without emotional connection.
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I think you might drive yourself nuts getting too deep in the weeds on individual product details, but if you enjoy that by all means have at it. I always start by identifying what sound characteristics I’m looking for, and then once I have some promising candidates I’ll look a bit further into design details but the final arbiter will always be sound. I mean, who cares if a DAC or streamer uses this design or that part if it doesn’t deliver the sound qualities you’re looking for? Now, if I’ve got a couple products like, say, DACs that are pretty much equal on all fronts and one offers a beefier power supply, galvanic isolation on the USB input, etc. then I’ll use design/parts to help make the final decision, but delivering the sound I’m looking for always takes precedence otherwise. Just my $0.02 FWIW.
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Many DACs have various output analog stages just like preamps and those do bring the most of difference. Digital domain is pretty much standard and certainly less contributing to the SQ. Just like in preamps priced anywhere from few to gazilion DACs can be built differently by different designers with different materials and certainly different looks. To me $2500 is where should be the best DAC priced that is built from best materials and technologies with tube or solid state output stages. Also having all various types of digital inputs for multiple components.
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From my perspective streamers are simply purpose built computers that provide a digital signal to your dac. That can be as simple a single board computer like the Raspberry PI to some of the ultra expensive highly modified computers that go as far as to supply three separate power supplies for the the voltages required to process your signal. They refine the internals and isolate the output to unimaginable levels.
Allo who makes streamer hats (and power supplies) for the Rasberry PI emphasize how less than clean power can degrade the sound.
From Allo website: "The Digione Signature needs 2 PSUs to run.
We strongly recommend you purchase the battery pack or use a very good power supply for the clean side."
The other difference, the software interface. It's ease of use and whether it supports your streaming service or the OS you are going to use to control your music. For instance the Lumin control software doesn't have Windows PC version.
I've not stepped up to an expensive streamer. The major issue for me (besides the money) is that the support for Amazon Music. I also haven't completely explored getting the most out of the streamers I'm currently using. I do think that both the streamer and dac are important and providing the best source will pay dividends on your systems performance.
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The DAC design that has the most variability is the FPGA type, since it is software based. My plan is to get one of those in a few years. I use a Schitt Yggi+ LIM today. It punches way above its’ price. You will hear that statement from a lot of people on other DACs.😀
In terms of inputs any Ethernet input (RJ45) in a DAC is only used by me for short term convenience situations. When you connect an Ethernet cable to a DAC, any noise on a network, printers, computers, home security, etc.. is now allowed to go into your DAC via the RJ45 connection.
A streamer that cleans that up is what I do before I go into a DAC. I like to clean up the network using a fibre optic (glass) cable just before a DAC. I use Sonore Optical Rendu that take fibre as input and outputs USB which can then goes into the DAC. Fibre cannot carry analog noise because it is made of glass.
This is not a perfectly pure solution because of that last conversion. A pure solution is to use a DAC with a fibre optica input, such as the Lumin X1 or a Linn DAC (forgot model).
The Sonore OpticalRendu and the Lumin X1 (both a streamwe and DAC) are ROON READY. I use ROON in multiple systems in various rooms. My ROON Core server that manages the streaming is on a computer hidden under a bed in my guest bedroom. It has no monitor, keyboard, or mouse. The computer cost $500 and it pretty junkie. However, it does not matter because I use fibre optic in the last few feet before the DAC.
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DACs have one function, to convert the digital streams of ones and zeros into analog sound. It is why they are called Digital to Analog Converter.
Streamers, renders, etc are sources , that get the digits from somewhere, and then feed it to a DAC. They may or may not contain the DAC within, much as a CD player combines a transport to read the digits and a DAC to turn it into sound.
The question the OP is posing is whether it is better to combine the source with the DAC.
Personally I favor keeping them separate. DACs have different philosophies (architectures) as to how to do their job, and the OP identifies a few. It’s easier to try different DACs and judge their differences if one keeps the source constant, and the same is true with judging differences in sources
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@ danager
The Auralic streamers have the Amazon Music connections built into their Lightning software. I use it all the time.
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I have a decent handle on the relative merits of various engines (e.g., single-chip ESS devices, FPGAs, R2R ladders, ring, etc.) so I don't need feed back on that topic. However, let's take the "streamer/renderer". Is there any benefit from that function being a separate component versus being a board inside?
just convenience, and form factor
What are the most important considerations in evaluating them?
quality of sound, ergonomics, flexibility of use (sources) and connectivity
Currently, standalone streamer/renderers cost from under $2,000 to nearly $15,000. What do the higher priced units offer that the lower priced ones do not?
usually (but not always) better in the above mentioned aspects
Also, I can appreciate that the analog output function of a DAC is extremely important in determining the quality of the outgoing analog signal. What makes one analog output better than another?
quality and thoughtfulness of implementation (design, parts quality, voicing)
What should I be looking for to ensure that this output doesn't undercut the quality of the conversion done by the DAC itself?
read reviews (formal and informal) to cull candidates, buy and try at some length, choose ultimately based on your own experience not what others say
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DAC stands for digital audio converter. Nothing about streaming. Go fish.
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Do not buy a DAC and streamer together get them separate, unless your starting out in the entry level. I know there are many decent streamer/DAC's but from my experience the DAC is always the week spot in the Streamer DAC's.
Second find a streamer you like the interface/app for that to me in one of the driving factors in streamer long term satisfaction. Sound quality is really minimum for streamers, I've had everything from PC, Nucleus, Chord to Aurender and there is not a huge difference if you have a good external DAC.
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If you are streaming many things I used to think we’re not that important see below.
from your router- modem, a Linear power supply . A great one and very good price ,Linear Tube Audio , and comes with what others charge $150 for the good DC cable to router is included , the pathetic wall wart that comes with router adds tons of noise mine only$700 if bought on Audiogon ,$50 off. Then you need 2 quality Ethernet cables, a quality Ethernet switch like LHY SW-8 which is by far best built for $600 that being said you can spend $1000s on a switch ,as well as cables
look at Sablon Audio, I have a AQ Diamond from router ,end point makes the most influence ,the Sablon Ethernet cable only $400 and is at least as good as my $1300 AQ Diamond . The dac depends on your budget . Best value by far
for under $2k, the Eversolo A8 very respectable streamer and dac ,with a true Resistive ladder preamplifier ,if you choose to use it .Anthony At Perrotta Consultants gives very good deals and a good Power cord is needed to ge tthe most out of the dac . Depending on your budget , You mentioned you are new check it out many good reviews .
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Specifically designed separate streamers/servers usually have the advantage over DAC/Streamers. I say usually since when you reach the $20K DAC/Streamer category I find the difference is SQ over separates is minimized. I have even heard some integrated amplifiers where power supplies are all separate as if the one box is really three separate circuits, and the unit sounds better than separates (or at least the separates in my system). But you will need over $50k and you loose flexibility. My recommendation is a separate streamer and DAC.
I recommend a streamer/server since I find playback of downloads better in SQ than streaming or at least a buffered input when streaming like on Aurender or some others.
Execution of design intent from streaming input to analogue output is what matters. For get all about processing technology and streaming platform. So yes annalog output is important since it is part of the design intent. For example, an DAC with a tube analogue output may have SQs different from a SS output, although I fine in higher end equipment that difference is minimized. Each brand will generally have a signature sound associated with their design intent. Therefore, you need to determine what are your SQ qualities you prefer. Do you prefer an upfront presentation or more back of the hall presentation. Do you prefer crystal clarity or a more opaque sweet presentation, do you prefer dense images or will you be satisfied with lighter images … and on and on. With DACS, some of my notes are Chord Dave has intense clarity and detail, DCS Bartok slightly back in presentation with lighter images than say the Mola Mola Tambaqui and Bricasti M1 S2. Recognize all are exceptionally musical and the choice based on your preferences. First read reviews. Pick what you think meets your preferences. Then audition and make a final decision.
in conclusion, I hope I answered your questions. Go for separates. Determine your preferences. Conduct research. Make a decision based on auditioning.
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PS. Some other notes.
Quality digital interconnects, analogue interconnects and power cords are a must.
I find re-clocking between the streamer and DAC gives improved SQ. An inexpensive re-clocker will work. You can go with a break the bank re-clocker as well. I use an inexpensive one. I also find on those streamers that offer wireless connection and wired connection, SQ is better wired. My streamer is only wired.
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I also like separating streamer and Dac I figure a streamer is probably a fairly noisy device electrically speaking. So why not keep the conversion process away from the streaming. I also like separates in general you can upgrade one half or the other as you wish, or don't wish.
I've heard both mutibit and delta-sigma Dacs sound good what did they have in common? A robust power supply and a sufficient discrete analog output stage. As they say everything matters.
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