Seeking advice on purchasing a new streamer

Forget the upsampler, keep the Qutest as it’s a good DAC (until you can afford a meaningful upgrade), and save for a better streamer like the Lumin or Innuos Zen Mk3. 

I was in a similar boat very recently. I was using a Node 2i in my main 2 channel rig in conjunction with a Cambridge Audio DAC (Azur 851D). After I purchased a separate headphone system, I moved the Node 2i to that setup. I was temporarily using my old Apple TV in my main system as a stopgap streamer. 

Just like you, I didn't want to spend more than $1500 on a streamer. I considered several all-in-one options including Innuos Zen Mini, another Bluesound Node, Mytek Brooklyn Bridge (over my budget though) and TEAC 505. All excellent choices! But I reached the conclusion that I wanted the extra flexibility of separate equipment. I did some research, sought advice from a couple of members here, and decided to go in a slightly different direction. I ended up buying a Sonore opticalRendu bundle that includes the opticalRendu, PS, and a media converter. Honestly, I wasn't expecting a big difference, but was pleasantly surprised. The improvement over the Node is not subtle by any means. I'm noticing improvements across the board -- broader, deeper soundstage, more details, definitely a much darker background (something I had never experienced with the Node before), and the bass is definitely tighter and punchier, although not necessarily bigger/heftier. I can say without hesitation that my system has never sounded so musical and refined. I was planning to change the CA DAC earlier, but honestly right now it's sounding so good that I'm having second thoughts on spending more money on another DAC. If I do, it will be something different, like an R2R DAC. I do like the flexibility that a separate streamer can provide. 

I agree with @soix that your existing DAC (Qutest) is very good. Maybe try a different streamer and see if works for you. The opticalRendu comes with a 30-day return policy, and is definitely worth a try. At least in my system, and to my ears, this streamer is worth it. Of course, YMMV.

Sounds like another very good recommendation from @arafiq.  I neglected to mention that, in addition to streaming, the Innuos Zen is also a server with onboard memory so you can easily rip all your CDs into it and have access to all your music in any order (including making playlists) from your chair.  Plus, no more transport necessary.  Best of luck in whatever you choose. 

thanks for the recommendations guys!  I'm gonna check these options out.  @arafiq, I'm curious, what do you need the media converter for?

the Lumin U1 mini, the Innuos Zen mini and the Sonore opticalRendu look like the strong contenders.  Though all are stretching my budget a bit

Does anyone have any experience with Auralic?  I saw some used units on A-gon and USaudiomart that are less expensive than the new units mentioned above

thanks!

@adam8179 ... the opticalRendu utilizes a fiber optic interface to eliminate noise from your network. Since my ethernet switch does not support fiber optic interface, the media converter takes a CAT 6 cable from my switch on one end and connects via a fiber optic interface on the opticalRendu device on the other end. So basically ...
Router >> switch >> ethernet cable >> media converter >> fiber optic cable >> opticalRendu >> USB >> DAC

At first I was skeptical that the fiber optic conversion would yield any meaningful results, but at least in my system this has resulted in a lower noise floor and I can definitely notice the difference.