What determines a streamers sound quality.

+1 Lalitik

The streamer should be chosen based on software support. PCM digital streams contain error correcting codes that reduce or eliminate any transmission errors; what arrives at your DAC is likely exactly what the original file contained. Other opinions on this matter should be demonstrated by empirical results.

I make choices in this space by ease-of-use, coverage of streaming services (Qobuz vs. Tidal, etc.), other features like Roon support, etc.

While there can be network delivery problems related to your setup, they are typically irrelevant unless you have pre-existing conditions.

So, no, steamers don’t impact sound quality.

Have to politely disagree with markwd.  In my experience, the difference in sound quality coming from streamers is significant and pretty easy to hear when doing an A/B comparison (same DAC, same input, same cable).  Better streamers over more resolution and particularly more spatial information. Lower quality streamers sound “flat” (2 dimensional) in comparison.  

But, don’t take the word of anyone here on audiogon for it or against it. Audition some and determine for yourself.  You might find it’s not enough of a difference to justify the price.  But, I expect you’ll conclude that there is a difference.  I found it to be significant enough to justify the substantial increase in price.

My $.02