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Airplay 2 ... Files remain on iMac, stream to iPad, digital out to DAC (no dock required).
Ok I done a bit of digging and this doesn’t seem to be possible. You can stream from an iPad, iPhone etc, but only to supported receiver devices e.g. active speakers, smart TVs etc. So I don’t think this option would be a cheap fix.
Olly398-
Ok. There are plenty of other hifi streamers available that support airplay 2 but it seems like you’ve discounted this in favour of a NAS. So I would be looking at any cheap DLNA client, lots on amazon for little money
Edit: i still think a NAS is overkill for what you’re doing. Better to get a little Yamaha streamer and put a usb stick in the back of it, or if you really want multiroom then build a NUC (or a Mac mini) and run plex Media Server with chromecasts in the other rooms. Much more reliable and better SQ. You can get a Gigbyte Brix with optical and analogue out with 512Gb SSD which will kick seven shades out of a cheapo NAS and Sonos Connect. Both of these solutions are within your budget. If you go with the NUC you won't spend more than £250 all in.
freddo
How old is the iMac? https://www.pocket-lint.com/speakers/news/apple/141261-apple-airplay-2-what-is-it-how-does-it-work-and-what-devices-are-supported
Files remain on iMac, stream to iPad, digital out to DAC (no dock required).
See https://www.the-ambient.com/how-to/use-airplay-on-mac-1578