Solo streamer

Turn off Auto Play in menu and it will end with the last track in the queue.   Also I turned " consume mode" off  so it won't erase songs in Playlist as they play

Why not use the Cambridge with a stand alone DAC?   If you like the Cambridge user interface and are looking to improve sound quality , that's where I would start.  

I have a N200.   It's a great unit.   I am using it with the excellent sounding Lab 12 DAC 1 Reference .   I chose that DAC over several that were up to $2k more because I love the way it sounds.   Plus, if I ever upgrade that DAC the N200 will not be the bottleneck

Enjoy    

As always, solid advice from Blisshifi.....   I really didn't NEED to upgrade my  Vault 2i , but I am glad I own the N200.   I stream a lot,  so to me it was a worthwhile purchase that made streaming even better.   

The N200 seems popular,  mine shipped directly from Aurender California and I live in Boston.   I'm guessing they were out of stock and that was the quickest way, via DHL.   I think it will be worth the wait, hopefully you'll feel the same once you get it 

You may want to try USB to your DAC3.   The N200 really focuses on the purity of the USB output.   In addition the DAC3 will use it's internal clock to further eliminate jitter when running asynchronous via USB.

There is more to Aurender than the fact it is a PC that's hot rodded. It is,  BUT for me it takes the computer out of computer audio.   As I type this with two fingers. I have to say that's worth something to me .....

Ever pick up an Aurender ?   They're heavy.   They reek of quality inside and out compared to any computer.    Support is great.  There's a lot to like.   You can also say that about Innuos. Auralic, Lumin too , they are more than just a PC.  

You are also buying into a slick user interface and real support with most companies that only do dedicated streamers .    

I started streaming with a Vault and I could not consume enough music.   I stream all day at work,  if I work from home it's going on in the background.   It absolutely made sense to me to buy a N200.   I can justify it when. I see buddies spend the same amount on a week doing their favorite thing, skiing,  golfing , whatever. 

I’d always rather have a separate preamp.  I know DAC / Preamps are hugely popular but I wonder how many are just climbing the DAC ladder and have never had a really good preamp that meshes well with all their other gear.  
 

My last two preamps were a CJ and Zesto.  System sounded thin and honestly not that great with just a DAC driving my amps.    I tried it with several DACs and put the preamp right back on the chain. 

That Bricasti is a fine sou ding unit and the fact it can drive an Amp is appealing but I like to run all of my sources at a fixed output into a preamp .  I guess if you are all digital it makes sense ....

I'll always use an active pre

I like separate streamers and DACs for the same reasons I like separate preamps and amps.   
 

The N200 is an awesome machine , you should have no regrets     Enjoy until you can really better the Benchmark because it is a good DAC.  It will also be 2x what the DAC 3 goes for …..  Enjoy it and only replace it if you can do a home demo and it is far beyond a lateral move when you do. 

Good deal.  I would snap that up

Glad you are enjoying it ...   

Oh no, you're gonna buy something turntable related now ....

I still like the ritual of vinyl and CDs but the N200 is like a really high end sounding g jukebox.  I have discovered so much great music since 2019 when I got the Vault.  

Artists and albums that I really like I buy.   I like owning the physical media.   

Yeah,it was stupid to buy the best sounding player i have ever owned or even used for that matter.   

It sounds better than my streamer with most content, true high resolution material,  no but with most of what is available on streaming platforms it is superior.