Options besides a computer for streaming

@52tiger 
I replaced my 2011ish MacBook Pro and iTunes/BitPerfect  with with a Roon Nucleus and Roon.  Had my data (music) on an external Samsung T5 SSD.  Super easy conversion.

Wasn't expecting much improvement in sound quality, just in usability due to moving to Roon.  No question, Roon is a vastly superior musical interface, but the surprise was the sound quality.  Everything sounded "identical" till I realized in the first few seconds/minutes that the sound/noise floor had dropped noticeably.  This might seem trivial, but is not.  A lower noise floor lets you hear details, like how notes end, spatial placement, hall effects, etc., that make the music that much more realistic. I am 100% happy with my purchase (I bought the less expensive Nucleus, since I don't do DSP into my Yggy), but I am considering an LPS to see if I can drop the noise floor further.

-docknow

Get a Allo Digione Player ....  $175 will sound as good, if not better than the 'high priced spread'... Get the Acrylic Case... Many software options for Free. Your choice of DAC.... Been running them for years.

https://www.allo.com/sparky/digione-player.html

I was using my laptop with windows 10 and jriver to stream.  I think the weak point is the computer because it is not a dedicated streaming device.  I bought a bluesound node 2i and the difference was immediately noticed.  Buying a streamer with only one purpose and operating software is the best way to go.  There are many great streamers and servers that will be much better than a multi-use computer. 

I have noticed a lower noise floor, and downloaded SqueezePad so I can use my iPad as a remote.

the Lampizator sounded so good before but now it’s even better.

thanks for all the reply’s