Want to get into Streaming

Sabrejet - I got lucky and got into streaming 5 years ago - my journey atarted with the help of an audio shop - they sold me a LUMIN D1 for $2000. The LUMIN is a streamer and DAC in one box. The LUMIN software to run the unit is the best in the industry - IMO. I stream Tidal HiFi with MQA - the audio quality is top drawer. I just sold my D1 and upgraded to the LUMIN T2 (got it New in the box for $3600). Just show around .

this approach will save you a lot of headaches and get you to enjoying the music much quicker.

just my 2 cents.

There are several steamers with built in DAC's...one less box.

I have heard many but these two stood out (could have also have been the systems/room/lunar pahse)

Lumin T2. w/ Sbooster external power supply

Also PS Audio DirectStream DAC (on sale at upscale)

NAD M12 all digital, DAC and can serve as a pre amp as well.

In my case, I simply use a PC that runs Audirvana to stream Tidal and to play my ripped CD's and hi-res audio files. The digital audio signal goes to a Chord DAC. 

If you are a music lover you should investigate Roon.  A Nuclueus can plug directly into a USB DAC and that's all you need for hardware.  Mytek Brooklyn+ is a good one and it decodes MQA from Tidal Masters, which while not a panacea, are worth having available as an option.  That setup will run you 40% of your budget max plus cables, and will give you an excellent listening quality.  Given your resources, you can go large on  cables...something like a Nordost Tyr USB 2.0 and ICs to match.  You do need a hardwire link to your router for the Nucleus, BTW.