Fairly new to streaming. Where to start?

I use Roon and have been streaming for several years. I stream both Tidal and more recently Qobuz as well as music from my local NAS.

My primary streaming setup is a Schiit Yggdrasil DAC and a Metrum Ambre streamer. They work very well together and are seamless with Roon. Music quality is excellent. The downside for many people is cost as these two units together run $3000 to $3500. Don’t get me wrong, I love them and for me they are absolutely worth it.

A few months back I was watching a “Darko” youtube video about a Raspberry Pi music dac/streamer combo from Allo called the Boss Player. It’s a Roon ready dac/streamer in one box and costs $169. You need to add $25 or so to power it, but Darko gave it rave reviews – so I had to try it.

When it arrived, it took about 20 min to assemble it and get it on my network. I had decided to use Ropieee software and it is also seamless when interfacing with Roon.

When streaming HiRes music through Roon I cannot detect a difference in quality between the two approaches – maybe hard to believe, but true.

Doing some further research into the Metrum Ambre, I found that it is also running Raspberry Pi internally and Ropieee software. Without question, the Ambre is a solid, well built unit and has considerably more interface options, but the heart of it is the same.

My recommendation for anyone who wants to try streaming without spending a great deal of money should try the Raspberry Pi route – then they could move up to more expensive solutions when they wish.

+1 for Bluesound Node2i.
I have the NAD C388 (integrated Ncore-based amp) with BluOS2i integrated module (occupies one of the MDC slots). Heard NAD is discontinuing this topology - but they work great. WiFi, Amazon UltraHD, no cables, great interface using BluOS on PC/tablet/phone app.

Side note: Using C388 for the digital experience, and full range RCA outs to a miniDSP4x10 (for DSP control) to Crestron 12x60 (made by ATI) for class A/B experience. Needed DSP and multi-channel amp for LXmini and other speakers rotating through the demo stable (to compare LXmini against) - currently Tekton DI. LXmini require active crossover, and comparing other speakers requires adjusting gain to eliminate volume bias during A/B - that is all handled by the DSP config.

BluOS2i interface works very well by BluOS app. Any service, including Tidal with native MQA unfolding, is available. Or even by Bluetooth (for non-critical listening) from a PC/tablet/phone running any other (not BluOS) app.

@big_gregI love my vinyl but I am 69 yr old now. There will come a time where I won’t feel like doing the ritual which goes with vinyl. Digital is easy...even CD is easier than vinyl. But CDP’s will be extinct very soon. Streaming is the trend.

When I started this thread, I had certain notions that were not true. So I have learned from this thread. I also thought about getting a network extender so I could use a wired player. I have good signal now with a WRT1900 Linksys router. Network does 100mbps (Spectrum) so I am fortunate there. The extender may be added insurance since my system is 50 ft from the router. But maybe more important are the wired LAN connections it offers.

I don’t discount the streaming services. I’m sure I’ll try them. But they aren’t important at this point. I’m sure I have a terabite of files now. Sometimes I do Pandora but not often. And I know they are not hi def. I’m trying to cut out the subscription services...mostly cable TV.

Thanks for the link to the access point. I'll look later.

A relevant question. 
I am streaming Tidal hi fi with an OPPO
BDP 105 player with a separate DAC.  Would Node 2i improve the output digital signal compared to that of OPPO? 
(Unfortunately, I do not get with Tidal hifi the sound quality that my CD player gives.)

Would Node 2i improve the output digital signal compared to that of OPPO?

The 105 has a pretty decent DAC.  Probably not.  You might get better sound quality sending the signal from the 105 to an outboard DAC.