good laptop-computer just for the audio

6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other. I use a Mac Mini with Pure Vinyl and Music on it which are Mac only programs. Any PC laptop will do. Just get a lot of ROM and an i5 or better. 

I don’t know of a good streamer with XLR outputs. I have looked at this possibility and it has to have Tidal capability

Lumin U1 mini. XLR and Tidal. $2K. Done.

Oz

"I don’t know of a good streamer with XLR outputs. I have looked at this possibility and it has to have Tidal capability. Any recommendations less than 1000USD?"
"Lumin U1 mining, XLR and Tidal. $2K. Done."
Since when is $2K less than $1K?

can anybody comment who has used a laptop for Streaming and a dedicated Streamer, which do you prefer and why? How does the Sound Quality compare?

I have used both but it's years ago when I used the laptop to stream music files all I remember is I didn't  stay with it as it never sounded as good as playing CDs. When streaming services like Tidal came along I knew I didn't want the hassle of using a computer in my music room so I got a streamer  put my music on a hard drive connected to my router and never regretted it. In my opinion the sound from the streamer is a lot better in my system others may have different results. The streamer sounds as good as my CD player and I just use a Node2i but I am thinking of getting a NAD C658 to try dirac.