Networks and USB carry only the electric signal needed to represent the bits. Computer protocols used assure each bit is transmitted and received 100% accurately. Otherwise no application that relies on them could work at all. There is no audio signal. Just the parts needed to construct an audio signal downstream (by the DAC).
The DAC is where the bits are assembled and used to create an analog signal that represents the music. To do that the right bits must be converted at exactly the right time. Some DACs do this much better than others but the technology to do it well is readily available for modest cost in many but not all cases these days.
Noise in the signal used directly by the D2A process can have a negative effect in the resulting sound. Less noise in the electric circuit is always a good thing. With a wireless connection, the streaming device and associated DAC , the devices actually involed in producing the " music signal" are isolated from any noise in the wired portion of the network out to the internet, etc.
The DAC is where the bits are assembled and used to create an analog signal that represents the music. To do that the right bits must be converted at exactly the right time. Some DACs do this much better than others but the technology to do it well is readily available for modest cost in many but not all cases these days.
Noise in the signal used directly by the D2A process can have a negative effect in the resulting sound. Less noise in the electric circuit is always a good thing. With a wireless connection, the streaming device and associated DAC , the devices actually involed in producing the " music signal" are isolated from any noise in the wired portion of the network out to the internet, etc.