Lumin or Aurender

Lumin T2 is awesome.  A couple things not mentioned yet - Lumin offers huge flexibility in upsampling and downsampling (not sure about the others in this regard) and a bunch of other settings options that are very useful.  Second, I think some might be put off by the fact that you have to have a separate storage somewhere for ripped CDs.  If running Roon and using WiFi, get a laptop that meets Roon basic specs (about $400), put it in a closet near your router, rip all your CDs using something like DBpowerAmp (very simple), and now you have a streamer/DAC (Lumin) that has no moving parts !  Arguably moving parts can break, and/or affect sound quality.  Roon servers IMO are just expensive computers.  Running the Lumin via WiFi is simple, no noise (fans, hard drives, etc.), and foolproof in my experience.   Also using this general solution the Lumin U1 mini is a smoking deal if you can forego the DAC/streamer option, then you can continue to upgrade your DAC or play with DAC options as time goes on without having to re-rip music. But again, having owned a bunch of quality DACs, the T2 is really good.

My vote is for the Lumin.I have upgraded from the A1...superb ....to the S1 and will be upgrading to the X1 in the near future. Their support is beyond compare. Peter Li is available via many of the websites to answer and help with any question regarding set up or whatever. Their Lumin app upgrades are great....

I have the NAD M10 and love it.  I have zero connectivity issues using Wi-Fi, though I decided to do the wired route because sound quality seemed a bit better, could be just my imagination though!.  I’m using Zu Omen Dirty Weekenders for speakers and run Qobuz as a source.

I own the NAD M10 and love it! 

I tried a PrimaLuna EVO 400 vs it and heard very minor differences. 

I have used the Zu Dirty Weekends, Revel F208's, and Focal Sopra 2's with it. 

The NAD is good enough that: each speaker's qualities are revealed.

I have used both Qobuz and Tidal with it; paying for the top services on both. I can hear a difference between the two. 

The M10 has enough power that it is too loud at times.

It doesn't get hot; it can get pretty warm.

I haven't had any connection or lag issues and my internet isn't the best. 

I have been reading and reading and listening to reviews and am to the point where most gear is will be fun to listen to and the gains will take significant money to get a consistent noticeable difference. 

Yesterday I was listening to Tidal Master Quality Albums and I am honestly not sure how my listening experience can get much better. 

I would say try the NAD M10, get used to the fact that you can move it room to room - outside drive-in with it, etc. and run it with any device.  It is really quite an incredible device. 

I've also seen it for 800 off; I was shocked as I paid full price but if you can get a discount; I wouldn't hold or look back. 

 

Easy. Innous Zen mk3 with Roon+ Matrix dac. Will cost you a grand more but well worth it. Future proof. Best part of Roon is the inbuilt digital eq. possibilities. No need for a pre with the Matrix. The Zen will also rip and store your cd's. Have a look at it.