Upgrading my streaming/digital system- what would make the most sense?

Everyone is giving you their personal experience here, but you have to wonder how many ran controlled experiments, changing just one variable at a time, listening to the same set of test tracks that cover most/all important aspects of sound quality.

I also assumed a better DAC would make the most impact, but after running about 5 DACs and 5 server/streamers through my system, I found the server/streamer made the most difference.  I ended up with a Grimm Audio MU1.  The Grimm performs a lot of functions to clean up the analog wave that carries the digital signal, so the router and switch quality became much less important.

For the DAC, I finally picked a Chord Dave, which I was able to pick up used.  The Grimm includes the equivalent of an M-Scaler, so you don’t need that.

Think of the server/streamer as the turntable and cartridge and that helps the process.

@dougthebiker I have an Innuos Zenith MK3 but you've got me reading up on the MU1. I too have the DAVE.   If I sold my Innuos and M-scaler, it would almost fund the Grimm.  What $5k streamers did you compare the Grimm to?

  I could also offload my NUC core which would clean up my rack.  

Jerry

The closest contender was the Innuos Pulsar.  Also tried the T+A MA 200 which was a bit edgy in the treble no matter what I paired it with.  The EVO 432 Aeon was almost as refined as the Pulsar.  Nothing else was much better than my old Innuos Zen Mk3.

 I also am unloading my old NUC.

Surprisingly, the Grimm made my old Schiit Yggy sound about twice as good.

I used to output USB from my IMac to my DAC... Sounded OK to me. Then I got a SOtM SMS200 Ultra network streamer to feed my DAC. Everything opened up more and became both better controlled and Wider/Deeper at the same time.

Every once and awhile, I got back to iMac > USB > Dac for a few days to reconfirm the rightness of my now 4-year old choice. And it has always been a joy to return to the streamer. The iMac still runs the Roon Core, but the music comes via the SMS 200 ultra via the network. I also now use HQ Player and the SOtM comes stock the the HQP NAA built in.

I’m very happy with the SOtM streamer, but more than that I am just recommending the addition of a network streamer/bridge of sufficient quality rather than feeding your DAC from your Mac Mini.

Thank for this.
I hace started seriously considering upgrading what feeds the dac particularly as many more upgades have to come to the market since the last time I was looking into this as KNOCK1 pointed out.  And was looking to hear what others have experienced in their own systems.
I would love to try a GRIMM but I have $4-5k budget- so this well outside my means.  But I will look at some less costly alternatives- any suggestions?
I has considered a Small Green Computer with an ultrarendu but maybe I should consider a higher level solution.
Just out of curiosity, is a card/bridge as I have in the Moon, a solution that others like Bricast or PS Audio (previous dac) also offer, a major compromise to a separate streamer?