Streamers are Computers masquerading as Audio Components. They can be optimized for sound by eliminating some of the noise a PC puts into a system, but the more important component is the DAC. You can also use a DAC with other digital sources to enhance all of them.
I have 3 systems in my home, with 3 different types of streamers.
In my basement HT system a use an old MacAir with a software program, Audirvana Plus, that optimizes the PC for sound. DAC is an Audiquest Dragonfly. In my living room HT I have a Bluesound Node2 that feeds an Anthem AVR. My two channel system uses a Bryson DAC3 and a Bryson BDP3 streamer. The Bryston sounds the best but it cost 10 times more than the Bluesound. The PC was headed for the recycle bin. Files are from a Synology NAS.
Sonically when played through the same DAC, as noted earlier, the Bryston gets the nod, but I could live with the other two as well.
My take-spend well on a good DAC. If you buy a combo DAC/streamer and you wish to upgrade one of the two entities within then you have paid for some functionality that is not being used. Either use a PC or a mid level streamer. If streaming is for you upgrade later.
I have 3 systems in my home, with 3 different types of streamers.
In my basement HT system a use an old MacAir with a software program, Audirvana Plus, that optimizes the PC for sound. DAC is an Audiquest Dragonfly. In my living room HT I have a Bluesound Node2 that feeds an Anthem AVR. My two channel system uses a Bryson DAC3 and a Bryson BDP3 streamer. The Bryston sounds the best but it cost 10 times more than the Bluesound. The PC was headed for the recycle bin. Files are from a Synology NAS.
Sonically when played through the same DAC, as noted earlier, the Bryston gets the nod, but I could live with the other two as well.
My take-spend well on a good DAC. If you buy a combo DAC/streamer and you wish to upgrade one of the two entities within then you have paid for some functionality that is not being used. Either use a PC or a mid level streamer. If streaming is for you upgrade later.