Undoubtedly, the DAC will make the most difference. Foundationally it’s going to guide you with your other decisions. The MK2 will peel away layers of noise that you didn’t know you had.
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I agree, in fact in a digital only system the DAC has replaced a Pre as “the heart” of the system, I believe.
Many do not even use a pre anymore if there is no analog involved.
Well, that has been my experience so far in all sorts of upgrades. Things seem like they couldn’t be any better until you make the change. Then you can see what you’ve been missing all along. You don’t know what you don’t know.
I really appreciate all this input everyone. Just discovered this forum recently and it’s the most knowledgeable and helpful source I’ve found, and on so many topics as well. I really thank you all.
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Don’t give these crazies so much credit 
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You mean I shouldn’t bring in the benefit of exotic cables yet?
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Already been down that road, in my own cheapskate sort of way. Made me into a power cord believer.
Vince, did you swap out the MK2? What did you switch to and why? Are you still using the Sonore Signature Rendu SE? Would you mind sharing your whole signal path from music file to DAC? Thanks for at least considering answering the questions.
I have not read this entire thread but what about the Auralic Aries G2.1 streamer? I love mine with my DSD both before and especially after the dac mods.
its a bit more than most others mentioned here but at the top of short lists for those willing to pay.
I think @rschulte59 has an Auralic Aries G2.1
I read last night that Qobuz is developing Qubuz direct. This is exciting news. This would allow connecting a iPad with the Qobuz app directly to something like a iFi stream without the necessity of using a intermediary program, such as roon. Wi-Fi to the stream and usb to the Mk II. The only fly in the ointment might possibly be using the cloud based server that would come with the Qobuz app. Would this be a dealbreaker? This seems like the cheap simple solution I’ve been looking for.
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That’s been “on the way” since shortly after they came to the US but very little to no news since.
After all the recent upgrades the G1.1 gives you almost everything the 2.1 does for $3249 unless you want to connect to other Auralic G series components. So less than some of the other streamers mentioned in this thread like the N200 and the U2 by a good bit.
I can use the iPhone Qobuz app to play the iFi NeoStream via Apple AirPlay
All of the Auralic stuff is nice. I was a fan since the Taurus Mk2 headphone amp.
I have an Aries G1.1 connected via AQ Coffee to MK II usb and it runs great using Wi-Fi. I went with the G1.1 vs 2.1 and took advantage of the P12 sale. Still exploring what it can do with internet radio and Qobuz.
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So Qobuz commented on the their portal last week: “We can guarantee that Connect is coming, but it’s a huge work in addition to all the other improvements to be made. Be sure that this is our top priority right now, we are working on it and hope to release it as soon as possible.”
@akro With connect services, the audio player receives the tunes from the streaming service… the files do not travel over the phone.
Works great with Qobuz as I’ve had a subscription since before they came to the US. Internet radio is pretty typical of the genre. Lower resolution background music.
I go back to the Aries Mini
I hope they finally pull it off but David has been saying that for years now.
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