Suggestions for a top flight streamer/Dac around the $2000 mark?

All great information from everybody and many thanks to all for that.
No decision has been made yet but I certainly have a lot to look at!

OP - I have been very happy with my LUMIN D1 for 5 years. The Apple OS is the best way to interface with the unit - very stable and easy to navigate. I use Tidal HiFi with MQA as my source and the sound quality is great. You need an Ethernet connection directly into the unit - I feed out the balanced outputs into one stereo system and the RCAs into a second stereo system - both sound great. The current D2 model (replaced my D1) runs $2200 I think. It uses the wolfson dac chips. If you go up one level to the T2 you get the Sabre DAC chips, but the cost pops up to $4500.

lumin sends me software upgrades all the time via the internet - the D1 is still going strong, but I am considering an upgrade to the T2. Hope this helps

I was in the same boat (upgrading a Node 2i). I liked my DACs (RME ADI-2 DAC for headphones and Oppo 205 for speakers, so was just looking for a streamer with digital outputs. I decided to get the LUMIN U1 Mini last November. Haven’t been disappointed once with this unit. It has the full array of digital outputs: AES/EBU (XLR), S/PDIF Optical (Toslink), S/PDIF Coax (RCA cinch), S/PDIF Coax (BNC), and USB.

FYI: the TEAC NT-505 doesn’t have digital outs, so you must use its DAC and pass analog-output only. That’s the main reason I went with the LUMIN: they support their hardware for a long time, so if a DAC comes along that I just have to have (like an RME ADI-2 Pro updated to AKM AK4499 chips) then I know the LUMIN U1 Mini won’t become obsolete.

Obviously, if you’re looking for a streamer+DAC combo unit, the U1 Mini isn’t an option, so I recommend one of the less expensive LUMINs that has a DAC and a digital out (e.g., D2) just in case you want to get a different DAC in the future.

Cheers,
M1k3

uber, I'm kind of going through this same exercise, looking for something better than my Bluesound Node 2.  The interface is pretty important to me, and that has eliminated a lot of contenders.  I've narrowed it down to Lumin either the D2 or U1 Mini (I can use it with my Auralic Vega DAC), and TEAC, the NT-505.  I'm leaning towards the NT-505, it's a bit less than the Lumin and you can use it with the Lumin software.

@uberwaltz Thanks. I understand better now.

With Auralic releasing the new G1 Altair the end of this month at  $2700 Upscale and several other dealers have the original version on sale.  Kevin had some for $1649 new

David
Its a long deliberated thought process at the moment but here goes.....

The Ayre while superb obviously just cannot be the best at everything and I feel the Maggies would sing better with a bit more juice than the EX8 can deliver.
Very fond memories of my old BAT VK600SE amp which would drive anything half way up Everest without flinching. And with a hint of warmth and sheer passion that at times I feel is missing from the Ayre.

But I feel the largest area where I could gain improvement is in streaming, the Ayre is good but.....

However it still is all due considerations right now.

@uberwaltz  Your reasons for moving on from the Ayre EX8 to the BAT?  You have been so positive in your reports / posts on the Ayre unit.

While the Vega G1 is an excellent dac, it will not stream wirelessly(which Auralic recommends) like the Altair, so you will need another cable to connect to your network.  Auralic's support is also very good.  I was having an issue with my Altair and the owner of the company got involved personally and fixed it at no charge, even though it was over a year past its warranty.  You have several good choices(hard to make) from all the mentioned recommendations.

Don't know much about the micromega but due research forthcoming.
Thanks!

Micromega Aria? ($5K new)

http://www.audioasylumtrader.com/ca/listing/DAC-Processors/MIcromega/Aria-Dream/reference-wireless-d...

uber,

Consider Aurender N100H used, excellent player as long as you pair it with a decent DAC, like Denafrips (they have 4 different offerings starting at $1K) all reviewed very favorably. 
Look into Innuos ZENmini + LPSU also. 

Me with Aurender?  NO.  But a buddy here on A'gon, Pokey77, is loving his Aurender (N10, I believe). That's all I got for ya, u.  Sorry.

I would love to find a Vega G1 but it seems the plain old Vega fetches 2k or so, finding one in budget might be stretch.

I probably should have kept my old Aries Mini....... lol.

The Altair is pretty affordable, a number of units around at $1400 or so.
Have also been considering Aurender, any experiences?

A used Auralic Vega G1 might possibly fall within your price range....

https://us.auralic.com/products/vega-g1?variant=30892283920517

Were I to need to replace my Aries Mini, I'd opt for an Aries G1 (I have an external DAC).  Been very pleased with performance from the Mini; it's my most-used source component.    

Lumin U1 mini has stellar reviews and top notch support.

Can't make a specific recommendation but I too like an all in one streamer/dac. One less ac cord and cable which you can put towards the unit so maybe this can increase your price point.

+1 Teac NT-505.

I've had an Altair for over two years and I'm extremely happy with it.  It's not supposed to be as good as Auralic's separate units, but it's awfully close and I doubt I could tell any difference. Set up was easy and sound wise you can adjust the dac's filters to your preferences.  Personally, I like the idea of a streamer/dac combo where you do not need an extra cable and the two units are designed to compliment each other.  With the older Altair, you can always add a different dac in the future if you like to 'upgrade' often.  However, there is not much need to.  I don't think the new Altair G1 has a digital output to add a dac.  A used Lumin T1 would be a good choice also, but it's a bit more expensive.

Has anybody tried the Auralic Altair?
Aurender?

If you want a streamer that also has DAC inputs then your best bet is the Teac NT-505 which works on the Lumin operating system.  I've owned one for almost a year and a half and it works and sounds great.  The other options in this price range like the Lumin D2 and the Zen Mini Mk III with LPS don't have any inputs.  A Node 2ci and a DAC is not an acceptable solution from my perspective as over four years ago an Auralic Aries Mini easily bested the Node in head to head listening tests.  Nothing has changed with the Node 2 since then other than the addition of 5 ghz wireless.  So a used Mini would still beat it. 

Innuos Zen Mk3.  See Darko review for more info. 

1. mytek Brooklyn +
2. Chord Qutest and a node 2i