Streaming virgin

Hello,
Bluesound Node 2i. The reason I am suggesting the older model is you can get them for $100 less. So this should run you $450. If that is out of the budget there are some nice Bluetooth devices that connect to your stereo with RCA cables. In some cases your music will stay at cd quality. This can cost $50 to $150 for a nice one. Since the BlueSound products have this built in plus you can do wired or wireless speakers and it has a toslink input for your tv or CD player I would try to get into a BlueSound Node 2i. If any of you are near the Chicagoland area this store has all of these options and more. https://holmaudio.com/
They also let you try stuff out in your home to make sure it works with your system. 

I started this journey ~ two years ago and here are some of my lessons learned:

1.  Determine what "STREAMING" means for you:  It can be just an online music service like SPOTIFY, Amazon Music HD, Tidal, Qobuz etc.  It can also be a bunch of downloaded files (FLAC, DSD etc) stored on a Network Attached Storage (NAS) or USB Drive or on a computer that can be 'seen' by the streamer as a source of music files (UPnP) .  It can also be physical digital media like CD/SACD or ripped CD's.  It can also be everything on a tablet transmitted by Bluetooth !

2. Once you've decided on what your sources of digital music would be, then you can start shopping for appropriate gear to make it happen.  Take your TIME !!!!

3.  Bluesound's product offerings provides incredible value but it needs to fit your sources of digital music as well as possible online music services.

4.  There's also this music management system called "ROON" that is a way to organize and present your music sources with lots of meta-data (about the artist, the track, the album...) .  This requires some sort of ROON architecture (Server, end point ) to make it happen.  It works with some online streaming services but not others so be aware.

In my very simple use case, I have Amazon Music HD as my only online streaming service, have CD's and SACD's (never ripped, yet) .. have some DSD and FLAC files that I bought online on a thumb drive (for now), have some music other files on a computer... So I ended up with the Marantz SACD30n (due to its CD/SACD playback capability plus it is one of VERY FEW devices that can stream Amazon Music in their HD format natively).  I also have a few DACs in my chain that can handle DSD and PCM music,  in order to test the different sound signature of different DACs.  The music files on my laptops can also be connected to my DACs running Audirvana.  Sometimes, I stream Amazon Music HD via Bluetooth to either one of my DACs or to the Marantz SACD30n.  All works great too ! In short, there are several ways to "skin this cat".

Bottom line, take your time and spend your money slowly and wisely.  It can get out of control fast as I've seen music streamers / services north of $20K USD which is truly amazing. 

GOOD LUCK !  

Nonsense. And False.

I’d stay clear of the headphone outs and Bluetooth as neither of those options are going to sound very good.

Phone outputs can be optimized similar to any other streaming device.

You also have USB out from a phone.

The knee jerk reaction around here is Bluesound. 

If you want to get into steaming on the cheap, without having to use a tablet, phone or laptop, check out the Grace Digital Link Radio. It connects to your dac or integrated amp via a digital coax interconnect and plays through your hifi. It has a nice screen and Is easy to use. It also has the capability to stream Hi-Res audio should you care to do so. The built in apps include both Amazon Music and Pandora, and it has access to over 100,000 Radio stations from all over the world, plus Chromecast built-in and Bluetooth. It also has a remote. $179 cannot be beat. I use one, and to me, it sounds terrific. It will most likely be all I will ever need. I’m a CD, LP, and Cassette kind of guy, but when I’m lazy, I turn to my Grace Radio.
https://gracedigital.com/products/grace-link

Blusound Node 2i: 450-550
Cat 6 or higher cable: 20 on up
HD Streaming service: 8 on up per month.

This will give you full HD playback capability.  The Bluesound ap will work on your phone or laptop.  Many say BS ap is better than the one in more expensive streamers.  I added a DAC.  You can buy several different designs and sound signatures.  You will need an interconnect between Node and DAC.  I use a $40 coax with RCA connecters.

You will notice volume differences with songs.  Use FIXED volume on the Node and adjust volume using your preamp.