This is one thing that will have no effect on SQ at all, but cost you extra money.
There is no point to using I2S, and being a PS Audio product, to using Airlens either.
If you are using a digital streamer, no matter what you use, unless completely broken by design (so… maybe avoid Airlens after all) will sound exactly the same.
Unless you have some nostalgic attachment to the Topping, DMP-A6 has a perfectly fine DAC and would be a single-box solution.
Another option would be either an R Pi of sorts, or a mini-PC; for about $300 you can get something that can run a full Roon Remote, as well as any streaming service app and more, work over WiFi or Ethernet, and provide USB Audio output as good as any. Some even have decent built-in touch screens.
I have the DMP-A6 and I use it as a Roon endpoint and also as a streamer thru Tidal. I was looking at the LPS as well. Later this year I am thinking about matching the A6 with a Schitt Loki Max with the XLR and a pair of XLR headphones.
I have a topping E50 DAC with a Topping L50 Headphone amp going thru a Topping P50 Linear Power Supply. For me the LPS in this rig did step it up. This is why I was looking at the LPS for DMP-A6. For me I believe this would be worth it. YMMV.
What I have read about the I2S did not impress me. Just as many negatives as there are pros.
I am quite happy with the Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra for my 2 channel streaming. Works flawlessly with Roon, truly BitPerfect, and is nice and small. Set and forget.
I recently got a WiiM Pro Plus to stream to the Pure Direct function of my Denon AVR-A1H and it is very impressive for the price. The UX has great functionality, though is a bit bland. The feature set of streaming services and Roon Ready is exceptional. The built-in DAC is SOTA. It even has trigger out and AUX in. Not having XLR outs might be a deal-killer for some, however.
I had the same set up and it was the opposite of flawless. The stream box couldn’t pass DSD (neither native or DOP to my MSB DAC). Their support was slow and unresponsive so after half a year I gave up and so I had to look for an other transport. The eversolo DMP A6 works just fine as a transport. Its dac is just a mediocre typical sterile and flat ESS sabre stuff, but that’s not a problem if you have an external DAC.
I have used the Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra for the last 3 years with a Matrix X-SPDIF 2 and LPS feeding I2S to my DAC. The setup has been flawlessly reliable and sounds terrific . BTW I listen to DSD over DoP with no problem. Got good support from my local dealer when I needed it at the beginning, haven’t needed it since.
One issue with the Pro-Ject - I found the WiFi performance to be woeful and was able to switch to wired but if WiFi is important to you I would probably lean towards the EverSolo since it has much better WiFi capability than the Pro-Ject
What about the Cambridge Audio CXN100? I have the CXNV2 and it’s a very good streamer/DAC for the money. Or are you looking for just a streamer without a DAC. Even then you could simply use it as a streamer, it has coax digital output.
SILENT ANGEL MUNICH M1T Streamer
Has got decent reviews for under $1K
It has I2S output and you could pimp it with LPS if you wish so.
But no screen like Eversolo, but is has I2S as you requested.
DENAFRIPS Arce Streamer has also I2S and is up par SQ wise with DMP-A6 if used as Roon endpoint.
Anyone intending to use an I2S setup between different brands of source and DAC must check DSD compatibility including whether left right channel will be swapped incorrectly.
The DAC in post #1 supports DSD512. Cannot send DSD128 or higher over coax.
