Discerning a difference between streamers is difficult...only me or common for all?

OP, to get the most out of your digital, you have to optimize the whole chain from the wall to the DAC. This includes going to a fiber optic connection which can be a bit of work. The server/streamer to get is the Taiko if cost isn't a consideration, almost as good is the Playback Designs stack which would entail replacing your current DAC. A lower cost alternative would be the Lumin U1 and L2 streamer/file server stack which is what I use.

@dxbwineguy Interesting results, but your test did show that there are difference in streamer SQ.  Can you describe the differences and why everyone preferred the WiiM?

I recently bought a WiiM Pro for one of my sons and I just ordered a WiiM Ultra as a Christmas present for another son.  I've never tried inserting one into my system.  Might be interesting to try it.  

@sls883 I have never been good at describing music- but will try. The WiiM was much clearer, the Hegel was depressed. The WiiM sounded fuller, kind of blooming (not booming).

I forgot to mention earlier- the Hegel of course was hard wired via Ethernet. The WiiM was on WiFi. Ideally the latter should have degraded the performance as compared to an Ethernet connected device but I guess it didn’t. I didn’t even think about this till now.

My overall view of A/B comparisons is a few years when we used to buy TVs and the choice in the showroom was between LCD and Plasma. At that moment LCD would outshine the plasma TV- but if you got the plasma home, which I did, it looked great. I know I might get dissed for saying this - for sure some components provide phenomenal differences but eventually I think what matters is what makes you happy. I have an Eversolo streamer, a WiiM Mini and a WiiM Pro Plus. Am happy. Have always debated about getting an Aurender or a Lumin or something else but eventually decide against it - because the difference for me will be in the first few minutes and then everything sounds the same - to me. Apologies for long post.

@dxbwineguy  Thank you for the description  I'm terrible about describing the sound of my system.  I'm often inclined to say "it just sounds right", but that's not a very good description.

I have an Innuos streamer that I like.  SQ is excellent and it has a large buffer, so music doesn't stop if my internet drops (which it seems to do quite often).  It also has a cd ripper which I do use.  And the Sense app is excellent.  I did notice an improvement in SQ over my Node 130, but I didn't spend serious time doing a comparison.  I'm happy with the Innuos for it's SQ and features. 

+! @akg_ca, It really is a matter of what is good enough and to what lengths one is willing to go to get there.  There is a BIG difference in everything, and everything matters.  No one can tell another what is good enough or what is worth it.  That is the beauty of our Audiophile world..excellence is obtainable, yet there are levels of satisfaction for everyone.