spend on the streamer or on the DAC ?

Hello,
I started with a Sonos connect. I then bought a good DAC. I also bought the W4S reclocker which helped the Sonos a lot. I wish S1 Sonos could do HiRez because I own several pieces.  I just bought a BlueSound Node 2i to get HiRez and replace the Sonos in my main system. If you do not have a HiRez player purchase a BlueSound product. If you do have a HiRez streamer, work to get the best DAC you can afford that matches your system. I believe now in today’s Audiophile world the DAC is the most important piece in your system if your main listening is digital. Plus it can save you a ton of money on cables due to you need a good interconnect from your DAC to preamp. After that you can use “good” cables that don’t cost a fortune. Like basic audio quest and still get incredibly results. Many cd/sacd/DVD players use the same Oppo transport/ disc drawer but what makes it sound so good is the internal/ external DAC. DACs have sound signatures so make sure you test,test,test. R2R does not sound like a chip. Also when you get a few more $k sell your existing DAC and upgrade to a better DAC like going up the Denifrips line because there is a big difference from Denifrips Ares to the Denefrips Terminator. Also, because they don’t last forever and they keep improving. 

So, my Node2 uses BurrBrown PCM5122 DAC. Would i be correct that an outboard dac needs to at least do 24/192 or am i missing something 

@bhvf
I have 3 systems in my house, main room (music+hometheater hybrid setup), music room (dedicated 2 channel music), bed room (dedicated 2 channel music).

Single Synology DS220j NAS (170 bucks)+ Seagate IronWolf NAS Drive 4TB (100 bucks) serves all music files to all 3 rooms. Also serves all my movie blu ray rips to entertainment room.

Main Room: NAS ---> Yamaha WXC-50 streamer transport ---> Musician Pegasus R2R DAC (1100 bucks)
Music Room: NAS ---> Yamaha WXC-50 streamer transport ---> Denafrips Venus R2R DAC (~3000 bucks USD)
Bedroom: NAS ---> Technics ST-C700D (Networkplayer/streamer+DAC)

- The Yamaha WXC-50 streamer transport is a tiny and EXCELLENT streamer transport with excellent/max features that retails for 350 bucks. It can often be purchased on sale for 200 bucks. For a transport only, diminishing returns max out on the Yamaha. Built in DAC on it is no good. Use it as a TRANSPORT ONLY (intended design).
- Musician Pegasus and Denafrips Venus (with slightly different flavors) are the peak of R2R DACs for 99.99% of golden ear bats out there. Diminishing Returns max out after this. Kiss goodbye to all the MSB and Vermeer snakeoil DACs that cost as much as your car. Had them/Sold them.
- The Technics ST-C700D network player/streamerhas a unusallly good DAC implementation, sounds very much like the R2R Dacs i listed. Hence, It nullified the need for a standalone DAC in my bedroom. I am completely jawdropped by the value offered through the trickledown tech in this unit from their reference gear.

@deep_333   
Thanks for your response. I bought one of those for my son a couple years ago and tried to use it including the DAC and it was horrible.  I forgot I can use it as just a streamer out to an external DAC.  I'll have to give that a try. I've decided I'm going to get a Wolf streamer for my main system. This also allows streaming movies or live concerts on YouTube, Livexlive, Stageit, etc. along with hi-res, Roon, Jriver, web-based streaming like Nugs.net or Relisten (for us Jamband addicts).