How are most audiophiles going from streamers to DACS

and

Actually the optical/toslink issue, unlike many sonic preference sin audio, is not a matter of opinion. It does not support high res

all inputs on the DAC support 24/192. I don't know if the Node outputs 192 but that is not a Toslink limitation.

Not in the original standard and rarely supported. And part of the reason is the pulse spreading in the plastic optics.  Its also a very old standard and since it is almost exclusively used by TV manufacturers, the focus has not been on improving it for high end.

As to USB, the real issue here is not "what magic cable should i thrown money at?" but "how do i get good sound?"  Which really begs a different solution.

Herman...
"I don’t know if the Node outputs 192 but that is not a Toslink limitation."

Just a point of clarification, I have my Node 2i hooked up to a Cambridge 851C I’m evaluating. When I use coax, the Cambridge DAC shows 192k. Then when I switch to optical, the Cambridge DAC switches to 96k. The Cambridge upsamples to 192k max.

A streaming DAC is a better solution.

no cable means no data conversions are required for USB/COAX etc. Very short signal path with i2S.

Hard wired connection by ethernet and use an etherregen with LPS and/or audiophile network switch with LPS (e.g english electric or bonn8).

happy days! 

2i doesn’t have a USB output, so that’s is a non-starter

Toslink is limited in output (to 96khz) vs RCA coaxial

So for the 2i your best bet is RCA coax

Living on a limited budget.  Running a Bluesound Node 2i , Audioquest cables to a Shiit Byfrost, , sounds good but not close to the CD sound of the innous mini mk III. Running UDP on direct Ethernet. The details for symbol decay, ring, instruments blending. Bass is good on streaming but not as solid and controlled as the Innous.  I can live with the streamer because overall it would cost at least twice as much to get some improvement. I love the simplicity and functionality of the Blu OS. I just sit back and enjoy the music. I am very happy it sounds so good for the cost and being thankful for what I have.