Check in: How quickly are streamers and servers evolving?

The OP asks if streaming is evolving.  Boy, is it ever.  And not always in a good way.
There is a thread in the Digital section on the Roon Nucleus.  Apparently Roon did a software update that KO a lot of users who are now spending hours trying to figure out what went wrong.  I had the same experience with Bluesound—many times—and Bryston.  There have been threads from Innuous, Aurender, Auralic owners...Streamers are IT devices.  Have you ever had an IT problem at work or home?  A printer that suddenly got a divorce from what seemed to be a stable marriage with your laptop?  Imagine the same thing with your music.  When all other IT applications become hassle free then streamers will as well

  CD players are also specialized computers, but it’s hard to beat the reliability of popping a CD in a tray and hit “play”.  Transport-DAC combinations in my opinion are also as easy, the IT issues generally being of a much lesser magnitude than streaming.
And though as Audiophiles we argue endlessly about small sonic differences, essentially streaming and CD replay, into the same DAC, sound similar.  Both are sending 1s and 0s into the DAC.  An Uber priced streamer will sound better than a cheapo CD transport, but if both components are in the same price range, there isn’t much difference.

  Streaming is about convenience.  Get rid of those thousands of CDs.  Have portability, and access to unlimited music catalog, and control it all from your phone without getting your butt out of the recliner.  It’s all great, until it doesn’t work.  My advice is explore streaming, but don’t throw out those CDs just yet

@yyzsantabarbara 

Thank you so much for your careful and perspicuous listening report. I learned a lot from your efforts, and I'm glad you came to a discovery.

Several years ago, a friend showed me his home built setup — he built two very simple computers with kits running Linux, one to process and store (mainly FLAC) files and the other to send them to his DAC. The computers are connected with fibre and have an LPS. Eventually they are played through VTL gear (monoblocks) and giant Maggies. It sounds lovely.

@mahler123 

And though as Audiophiles we argue endlessly about small sonic differences, essentially streaming and CD replay, into the same DAC, sound similar.  Both are sending 1s and 0s into the DAC.

I will admit I have a hard time hearing a difference. But I won't comment on your statement, because I suspect it's like a match tossed into gunpowder in this forum! 

Your other statement about the fragility of technology -- the ability of these IT devices to wind up divorced and non-functional -- is well taken. I have longed for the personal computer to achieve the simplicity and reliability status of other home appliances, but to no avail. It's a shame, as most people use computers for very basic tasks.

I am thinking of getting a Bluesound Node 2i to replace my tuner which is my 6+ (hours) x 7 days music source when I am not listening to vinyl or AV source.  I have a great jazz + NPR (KNKX), classical (KING) and classic rock (KZOK), all of course local.  All have streaming apps also.  Does the Bluesound coordinate internet radio streaming apps well all through an iPad or phone OS?