Streamer Value Question Innous vs Bluesound

I should add I purchased my Innuous Zen MK 3 from Dave (The Audio Doctor) here on the forum. Dave gave me a great deal and offers exc. customer service!

I can only speak from personal experience but I spent a “bit” on a good NAS with plenty of space. It can run the Roon core, plus act as your PC backup :)

I also had a Node 2 which is a good quality streamer, but I wanted to upgrade to a better streamer/dac with a CD player/ripper. 
After a bit of investigation I came across a product range called Cocktail Audio which has a range of streamers/ DACs/ CD player/rippers and storage or any combination. I have an X45Pro which has a very high quality DAC.

I think the product range (from Sth
Korea) is worth considering (in my opinion).
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Lumin and Auralic make good transports and have decent control apps so you can run Tidal & Qobuz plus add a NAS, thereby avoiding the $$$ Roon trap. I would then save for a good DAC like a denafrips pontus, then get the power supply upgrade for the transport and DAC. Go step by step so you dont have to stretch too much. 

Or just go all in and get the 6k Lumin T2 with Leedh volume control so you can rid yourself of all the boxes and cables and preamp etc. - that is my next move BTW.

FWIW of course.

I am a 61 yr old novice who just finished spending $12k+. I only stream as I own very few CDs and 0 records. I have the Innuos Zen mini going to Ayre Codex DAC to Rogue tube amp to Vandersteen Treo CT speakers. Had a Node 2i but it had no USB output. Had the next higher Innuos also (too expensive). They were on loan from Audio Connect in Verona NJ (John Rutan). Settled on the former. I learned that it is very very hard to discern clear differences. Our ears and brains hear differently. It reminds me of appreciating and describing fine wine and liquor. Beer is much easier. Pick a price point and get a trusted dealer to consult with. Diminishing returns happen fast. Spend the $$ on the speakers.

I have recently started streaming using tidal. 
I use a melco with an Exposure Dac which sounds very organic. I had a Chord 2qute which sounded very digital, the dac makes a huge difference.