about ready to dive in to streaming... PS Audio AirLens vs Aurender N10?

Aurender for sure. It is an audiophile grade streamer with sound quality, build quality, support and a great app for navigation. I own two Aurender.

Just a note on sound quality differences between, say the N200 and N20. I would say the difference is very substantial and very much worth the money. This is not really a contradiction with what @dwest1023  said. It depends on the associated equipment you own and the value you place on improved sound quality. I am familiar with the different tiers of Aurrender streamers and am also in touch with other audiophiles with excellent high end systems and the consensus is definitely that each step up in tier nets a significant and cost justified improvement in sound quality. So, if this is worth it for you is a question of your system and financial means. I own a $22K Aurrender W20SE streamer and I was simply shocked at how good it was and thought it a great deal at that price because it brought the sound quality of my digital end up to the level of my $45K vinyl end.

I love my N200.   It's been great.   

If you want the best sound quality, the airlens hands down. Years ago I went with Auralic over the Aurender because of sq and lightning DS is light years ahead of aurenders software.

The airlens only has 2 output interfaces and you want to use the i2s interface. If you notice, the airlens doesn’t include the flawed usb interface.

I use Roon with ps audio DS dac, and the airlens will make your dac sound better. Get the best I2S cable you can afford.

Using i2s, you won’t be fooled into buying all those usb tweaks/gimmicks which try to get the usb interface to sound better. It’s like putting lipstick on a pig

One thing that always is a welcome addition is a good DDC or reclocker 

it not only has far better filtering and clocks then the streamer and the vast majority 

of dacs but it adds a much more real perspective in naturalness ,for sure better 

Bass and midBass articulation  and even better if your streamer can run I2S or

quality Digital inputs. 

thank you all for your input. i have decided to go with the Aurender N10.
i genuinely appreciate each of your comments. kind, clean & mostly on topic. 
best wishes to all.