Help with DAC and Streamer suggestions

just to get the mqa schtick clear - there are 3 unfolds in total

first unfolds if the streamer can deliver 96khz, then the dac does the balance of the unfolding/rendering

folks who have sorted through this often feel that the first unfold gets you most of the mqa sound quality benefit, like some 2/3 or 3/4 of the way there

bluesound or brooklyn or metrum (amber) as mentioned can all do the first unfold, or be set to deliver in ’pass through’ mode and let a fully mqa-capable dac do it all

current metrum and sonnet dacs have optional mqa modules that let them do the full unfolds as well as others... so do some NAD products that have internal DACs (but be careful with the NAD stuff, they sound very mediocre)

also, be careful about numerous Chinese DACs (Topping, Gustard, SMSL etc etc) that purport to be fully MQA capable, but they only do that properly if fed a stream via their USB input ... their spdif inputs will not do it... ask me how I know HAHAHA

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then there is the whole question of how much difference MQA makes at all, versus an excellent non MQA DAC... but i won’t open that can of worms here

Source matters.  With Tidal I think you should to upgrade the network and cables to get the most from your DAC.  I upgraded to a Terminator and Innuos Statement for DAC and streamer but they didn't sound good with Tidal or Qobuz until I upgraded my network switches and cables.  Now Tidal sounds amazing! 
I also moved Roon core off the Innuos and the DSP is much better.  I would keep the Yggy and add a streamer like an Innous and a core like the I5.  And then upgrade the switch.  I use an Etherregen >fiber> SOtM switch > SOtM dcBL Cat7> EE 8Switch > Statement.  Roon Core is on an Antipodes Core>SOtM dcBL Cat7>SOtM switch.  
The SOtM cables and EE 8Switch are very engaging.

Perhaps there is another way of looking at this.  If I have a Roon Core on a separate unit such as a Nuc or Nucleus, do I need a music server/streamer?  What does that add to the sound as it moves from the Roon Core to the DAC?  Or do I need the streamer as a Roon endpoint since the Yggy is not supported?

Steve

Steve: your Roon Core (in a NUC or Nucleus) IS the Server. You can hook it up to your Yggy directly, in which case the Roon Core is not only a server, but also an endpoint (streamer), or, you can buy a different streamer / endpoint to hook up to your Yggy. Whether there is any SQ benefits on doing this, it's up to you to decide for yourself.

Hi Steve, I’ve owned my Yggy since Gen 1, and I kept it due to its ability to be upgraded at reasonable prices. Does yours have the Unison USB board? It’s an easy upgrade if not. Edit...Oops, I see that you’re using the RCA input. 

Over the years/decade, I’ve realized and experienced how important a component’s power supply is. A well designed linear power supply (supplies) is of utmost importance. Many of the higher end streamers/servers have dual and triple LPS’s. Examples include Aurender, Innuos, Lumin and Auralic. I ended up purchasing an Auralic Aries G2.1, installed an internal SSD, and it has been fantastic. I also subscribe to Qobuz and love it. I stopped using Roon, but I still have a subscription. I’ll try it with the Auralic in the next few weeks to see if it’s worth keeping.

Therefore in your system, I’d upgrade the source and cables as anzaanimalclinic recommends. (I use a Shunyata Sigma USB.). After all, the Yggy can’t convert what it doesn’t receive. You will literally hear things that you never heard before as a result. Try it with and without Roon. Don’t be locked into Roon. Btw Aurender is not Roon compatible.

Boy that Holo May looks like a monster of a DAC. I’d love to audition it. I guess the question is what happens in 2 years when newer DAC chips and technologies arise. Is it upgradeable?

Ken