Looking for a basic streamer without a DAC, preamp, storage and all that

Why don't you go the Raspberry Pi route? With a Rpi 4B you can get good quality USB output or add a HAT card and get SPDIF coax or optical output. You have a number of operating system options available and you can put the whole thing together for $100 or so.  You can gussy them up with linear power supplies for just a bit more.

I've got 3 RPi players in my house and find they more than meet my needs

Some interesting ideas I hadn’t heard of before. Thanks, gents!

I’d been thinking of the Node 2i but was wondering if there was something that had the same streaming functionality but minus a DAC because I thought that might save some $.

I had been looking into RPi based solutions but have also come across lots of folks saying (on the internet anyway) that the software can be a PITA to make work.

After watching some Darko stuff, I was thinking of an Allo DigiOne or USBridge but got hung up after reading about software problems.

Like I said, I really only need to stream some Tidal and maybe other services to one fixed location. I don’t need multiroom streaming and I’ll never get around to ripping my CDs or vinyl to digital. I just don’t have the time or inclination.

My DAC is a Schiit Bifrost 2 with all the fancy inputs and balanced outs so maybe a Node 2i or Magna is the way to go.......

I have a stack audio streamer it serves the purpose

The Node 2i has digital outs so it's easy to bypass its DAC.  It's a good streamer and provides access to all kinds of services.  The BluOs app is a really good basic one.  Works flawlessly.  I don't think there's much out there for less than $500.

I use a Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra; works fine and accomplishes exactly what you describe.