Hidizs AP 80 Pro - Alternative to Laptop with long USB cable and Schiit DAC?

@kraftwerkturbo -- "alternative (storing and playing my files, converting to analog, feeding my receiver) to my current setup"

How about the following option -- share the music folders on your laptop so they are accessible to your local network. (Or alternatively, buy an inexpensive NAS and store your files on that.)  Then, purchase one of the inexpensive Wiim players which can be located right by your Onkyo. The Wiim has a built-in DAC (OK quality, but your Modi is better) or it can feed your Modi via an optical or coax cable.

Such a setup would give you access to your local files as well to a number of quality streaming services such as Tidal, Qobuz, etc. Wiim are also one of the easiest players to set up. All of this is controlled by an app on your iPhone or Android phone.

Connect Onkyo to Network: need find out how 'convenient' acces to music is via Onkyo on network. How does the Onkyo DAC compare to the Modi?

Will look into cost of a Wiim (is that a "streamer" or a "netowork player" or ???)

I assume music 'control' is then still through the laptop? Or through the Wiim 'app' by phone?

Wiim Pro 

Air Play 2 receiver

Would this (are same model) do?  I have Android phone. 

https://reverb.com/item/72742633-wiim-pro-wi-fi-hi-res-streamer?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=18078399966&utm_content=campaignid=18078399966_adgroupid=145854276928_productpartitionid=1726287611010=merchantid=780401392_productid=72742633_keyword=_device=c_adposition=_matchtype=_creative=617058724078&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_5unBhCMARIsACZyzS2htP7pCjfJ4HIHsBllk03UbaNEcEp0MaKeLwKOJywhpZT4sewMniEaAqGxEALw_wcB

Or this

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125856946672?hash=item1d4da899f0:g:QtEAAOSwB1xkBtRE&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwMMTLNCjEV7qsBL7OEDHc4yxe395liAbzYsa2S60lBpZzoV9Lbf5WLInLGkvB8trHEgValT5hBc49BwCVkp%2BFg1IvyiRKlbgnkPCn%2FKPY1%2FlYbOMfVwGM4r776qRH9CoVnXh6rA7WYCvErKiVQDJD5D6g4OlhlHre9ZyupQvNqyRke5edKmE%2B6ClyO%2FlV8E1tte7jod5PwhcTE7TkfCooFtHreTbiN2zu7FX3x34CbAlTK01tnZQgFy4Y%2FyCsQdmiA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6bGuoLFYg

What is the expected benefit regarding audio quality: Laptop/25ftUSB/Modi3 vs Laptop/network/Wiim Pro ? 

Is the the Wiim Pro "streamer" and its DAC better than long USB C and Modi? 

Alternatively: 

Laptop/Onkyo (use Onkyo DAC), but not sure how music is controlled then (onkyo display is marginal).