@zavato - came across this thread and wonder what you ended up going with? I’m currently at a similar point of streamer transport exploration from when you originally posted.
Streaming transport suggestions
I’m looking for a high quality streaming transport. No interest in a streamer with a DAC as I’m quite happy with my DAC (Bricasti M1). These are the units I’m aware of- Lumin U1 and U1 mini; Auralic Aries G1 and G2; Simaudio Mind 2. At one point j thought I wanted a server, but I have reevaluated that. What else should I check out?