Point of higher priced streamer?


Hello,
Assuming I have separate DAC, and I just want to play songs from iPad by Airplay feature.
In this case, I need a streamer to receive music from my iPad -> DAC.

What’s the point of high price streamer? I’m bit surprised that some streamers are very high priced.
From my understanding, there should be no sound quality difference.
(Streaming reliability and build quality, I can see it but I do not see advantages in terms of sound quality.)

Am I missing something? If so, please share some wisdom.
128x128sangbro
Hey @sangbro, you provided a totally different prospective now, thanks for sharing. It seems like you are starting from scratch, but with a sizable budget for starters. I’d say figure out the big items first. Like speakers, amp, DAC. Get a modest streamer just to get you started, like Node 2i, or a microRendu and such, then upgrade down the road if you still have the desire and satisfaction.


+1, @thyname, follow the solid advise and you won’t be sorry.
A streamer wired with a quality RJ45 cable (like Supra CAT8) will sound better than WiFi or Bluetooth connection.
Oh by the way, that Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC you mentioned, has a streamer built in. A network bridge. Hook up Ethernet to it, and you are set! No need for “high priced streamer”. And when you say “the US distributor “ of Mola Mola, you are talking about Bill Parrish? I know the guy. What exactly were you talking about “using your selection of cheaper stuff in audio shows”? I have been in at least two of his Demos, and I know what he is using 
For $100? total you could buy an OTG USB cable, a Nobsound USB to SPDIF/Optical converter and with a 75 Ohm digital or toslink optical cable, plug that into your DAC.
https://www.amazon.com/Douk-Audio-Converter-Interface-PCM192Khz/dp/B085XPRSGM/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&am...

That's what I am doing with my Android and Tidal. But I needed to buy UAPP and their Bit Perfect add on app to get TIDAL MQA first unfold.

Does the music sound as good as a Node 2i? Maybe. I don't know about higher priced units like a Cambridge etc.
I've been told that streamers are merely computers. Nothing more.
Sangbro: wonder about your long business trips around Asia (it must be tough having to do a 2-week confinement in a hotel room every time you change country) coupled with a couple of concerts a year in Vienna (how romantic)).
You shops for ‘mid-range’ streamers between 8-30K (what is top of the range then?) using Mola Mola Tambaqui dac whilst not knowing that the Tambaqui has a built in streamer... and ask the classic ‘a bit is a bit, why should I spend more’ questions to get folks excited on audiogon. The whole story seems built on shaky grounds, probably to amuse you whilst listening to music on a basic mp3 setup.