Point of higher priced streamer?

I tested multiple "steamers" but didn't scratch the surface as there are so many out there. In the end, I felt the DAC made the biggest difference. I tested several combos but it is really futile as there are soooo many.

In the end, I chose a Streamer that checked off boxes for every major streaming service and a cd ripper. (I still buy cds along with the vinyl pressing if possible) At some point though, I will try other steamers.. its just last on my list right now.

When you use a Node 2i, it does the streaming.
You have a Bluesound app for managing your music and what you play over wifi, but you aren't streaming from your handheld device, so you don't degrade the sound with Bluetooth or Airplay. 
My Node 2i is connected to my 1 Gb fiber internet connection.
I'm sure the Node 2i doesn't compare to streamers costing 10-15 times as much, but for the money, it provides excellent SQ.

It's quite simple in my mind as I waited really long before I got one.

Generally well made servers sound as good, or better than your decent CD transport in playback.
 
And a good server should make no difference in playback quality if the file is pulled from streaming, or is a CD rip placed in the servers internal SSD, or it's from your NAS drive.

Once you find and hear a server brand like that (and there are a few that I have heard - Grimm Audio and SGM Taiko come to mind) then you will know why these servers are dearer.

I am sure there are lots of other streamers that do well too, that I may have not come across.

f your connection to your DAC is coax or USB, then there is the potential for noise entry which can impact jitter which can impact sound.

If the entry is coax or fiber and the DAC is recovering timing info from the digital I/F that can be an issue.

The Node2i has a setting for jitter reduction that seems to makes things worse. Electrically noisy and coax out ... It's not a viable comparison point.

Goes isolated USB and pretty much every argument goes out the window. No jitter, no electrical noise.

Ignore people making comments using NOS DACs as they are highly dependent on the data rate they are fed so variability is understandable.

Take our electrical noise and jitter and what is left? Nothing, unless there is intentional manipulation of the data stream.

The trusty old Radio Shack sound meter does not have the resolution for level matching and take with a grain of salt that a dealer would properly level match which you never do with a sound meter you do with a test tone and a multimeter. However it's a digital stream. You should not have to level match at all ... Unless manipulation of the stream is happening.

As a recent subscriber to Audiogon and the world of the audiophile, I find this discussion on DACs very interesting. And also as someone with a limited budget it’s interesting to hear from people who run through various DACs seeking a ’better sound’ like they’re trying different brands of razor blades.

My questions may show my ignorance about DAC technology but they are thus: With limited access to audio showrooms how does one sample the qualities of different DACs without actually listening to them? Is there a ’DAC of the month’ rental club?

How far away are we from a ’variable’ DAC that, instead of ’bass, treble, balance’ controls you’d have ’instrument separation, nuance accentuation, etc’ for fine tuning your sound.

Speaking for myself, I recently purchased a Bluesound Node 2i and am thrilled with what I’m hearing.