spend on the streamer or on the DAC ?

Boy, it sounds like a lot of us are at the same place at the same time.  I was quite happy streaming from my Bluesound Vault 2i and simply using the DAC built into my surround processor and everything was great.  Then the bug hit and I decided to ditch surround in favor of a two channel only system.  Using the Vault by itself sounded dull and lifeless, so I added the new Denafrips Venus II DAC.  Things improved substantially.  It was just like everybody said, way smoother, more refined, and easier to listen to.  After getting just a taste of this improvement, and now dealing with a much nicer amp and preamp than what I had before, I was turned onto the SOtM SMS-200 by watching lots of videos on the Hans B. YouTube channel.  Adding the SMS-200 Ultra Neo was just the ticket.  Now, every single time I sit and listen to my system (which is every day), I can't believe how good it sounds.  It's truly amazing.  So, I would say the DAC and the streamer both make a significant and audible difference if you have the system to hear it.

The Simaudio products with MiND streamer and DAC in one are great!  The MiND software is great or you can step up to Roon if you like.  There are great sonic benefits of having the streamer and DAC in one unit - very short connection with no cables required. 

Bottom line answer to the OP: both streamer and DAC are important on a digital setup.
Real story: I local guy on a local group kept complaining how bad his digital system sounded compared to his Analog setup. I know he spent over $2,000 on a cartridge alone. So I asked him what he used for streaming, as a streamer. He said his laptop. Because these are zeroes and one, if there is sound coming out, it works. Oh well... no crap. 

Hello OP,  I started with the Node 2 as  streamer and DAC; it got me into streaming and sounded ok.  Upgraded to PS Audio Direct Stream with Bridge (streamer); Better!.  Then I upgraded to Auralic Vega G2 DAC and Streamer; Better Yet!
Now I have recently upgraded to the Mola Mola Tambaqui Streamer and DAC; Wow Amazing!  I hear that it can be improved with a separate streamer, but it is sooo good as combo! And a value to be a world class DAC with Streamer and multiple inputs.  That is my opinion!  Ken