Tying yourself to AES seems very arbitrary and limiting.
Preamp-Streamer to Hook to D&D 8c (DAC Optional)
Looking for a one box preamp/streamer with AES out in the $5ish-7.5k-ish range (sound quality first but also excellent UI) to hook up to Dutch&Dutch 8c. It doesn’t need a DAC... and most preferably no DAC - presuming throwing a DAC in adds to unit cost. It needs to at least have balanced XLRs but preferably an AES out. The only one I know of with AES out is the HiFiRose RS150B (has DAC). Thoughts?