These gears all have one thing in common....poor values. There are other much better options out there.
I suppose that depends on perspective. Expensive? Absolutely. No denying that.
I prefer to judge based on similarly priced competition. I've done many, many direct comparisons in each of these cases, and this gear comes out ahead imho. I kind of doubt you have done the same, but there's always a chance you have, and we simply disagree. That's fine too.
There is also such thing as sensible price/performance value.
Very true. To that end, I'd run Roon ROCK on a NUC, feeding a Cayin iDAC-6, then out to a Rupert Neve RNHP, driving HD6XX and maybe a 64 Audio A3e CIEM. The whole system costs less than a V281, or a DNA Stratus for that matter. It makes excellent sound and covers all the bases.
We could go even lower using Massdrop Cavalli stuff, and their little SDAC, or Schiit's lowest models, etc. All great values.
The fact that they exist doesn't necessarily have anything to do with statement-level gear on the other end of the price spectrum. Is the Eddie Current Studio a terrible value because the Black Widow exists? Nope, apples and oranges.
I'm not surprised. You probably won't like the Afficionado too.
Not sure why you say that. I owned and loved the Balancing Act for a while, and the Super 7 was great too. I definitely prefer EC amps to DNA amps, based on a reasonable sampling of different models over the years.
And at USD5-6k range and a solid state amp with nothing groundbreaking, it is not looking good so far. But let's see. When it does come out, there will be raving reviews on how this is the next best thing since hot chocolate.
Wait, you need groundbreaking new technology in your amps? But you are a fan of Eddie Current designs? I'm confused.
I think you may be underestimating the complexity of the Niimbus amp. 60+ transistors on board, 7 Watts and 30+ Veff output capabilities, a custom 256-step attenuator using magnetically operated reed relays (which is indeed ground breaking in terms of audio products, as far as I know)....
Whether or not the price is justified remains to be seen. But it seems your mind is already made up, based on experience with the V281. And again, that's totally fine, we all have different preferences.