Streamer vs computer?

Thanks for your responses!
@gdnrbob -- you are correct, I was talking about the Bluesound Node 2, not Bluenote. And yes, I can only get 24/96 from Tidal MQA's desktop app; the reason I'm looking at the Node 2 and other MQA DACs is so I can get 24/192 from Tidal. 

@2psyop -- I'm in a similar situation; spending $5K so I can get closer to vinyl quality from my CD collection does not make sense to me.  From your response, it sounds like the advantages of Node 2 are:
1) it enables full unfolding of MQA files;
2) it can be remotely controlled from your iPad (nice feature), and
3) it frees up your computer for other uses.

Currently, my only DAC is the one built into my Cambridge CXU, which isn't very good.  I was hoping to get a better, standalone DAC with my next audio purchase, and it seemed like the Node 2 would just give me a second low quality DAC with the ability to stream, which I already have with my computer.   Nevertheless, your endorsement of MQA through the Node 2's DAC, over Benchmark and Schitt, caught my interest.  Were you running the Node 2's converted (analog) output into those DACs, or were you running Tidal's Redbook, non-MQA signal to them? 

For any others reading this who think I'm wasting my time with MQA, I have this question. Tidal's Master subscription gives you two options: standard 16/44.1 Redbook streaming or 24/192 MQA.  I'm not aware of any other way to stream high res files, and I generally prefer the sound of Tidal/MQA to Redbook.  Since there is no other competitive hi-res streaming source, why wouldn't I take advantage of MQA?

MQA is not really high resolution. In fact, there are good indications that it is inferior or at least not better than cd red book. Look at the relevant threads.

@willemj thanks, but you did not answer my question. In the online streaming world, what other choice is there? If your answer is just Redbook, I disagree. I have done many comparisons, and MQA wins (or at least ties) every time. 

I do believe Redbook CD quality is the best there is when you are streaming from the internet. I am not convinced MQA is an improvement (see the relevant threads, and the work done by Benchmark and Archimago). At some time in the future we may see real higher resolutions such as 24/48 or even 24/96 rather than the fake MQA, but I am not convinced these will sound better than Red Book (but I remain open for good research).

@cheeg,
I have listened to the Bluesound Node DAC and compared it directly with the Ayre Codex when I was at Audioconnection. The Bluesound DAC was good, but throught the Codex, it was way better. Mind you, this was with non MQA music, but I can't see how it would make a difference.

Since there is no other competitive hi-res streaming source, why wouldn't I take advantage of MQA?

My biggest concern with MQA is that you will be beholden to them as long as they are in business (like Dolby). And, with high resolution streaming still in its' infancy, I expect things are going to change quickly. So, why jump on a bandwagon now?

B