Do I Need a Dedicated Streamer?

As others have stated, streaming will definitely improve your audio quality. 

I think that trying out inexpensive streaming options is a good way to get an understanding of what streaming is all about before dropping big bucks on a high end streamer.  If you try out the Bluesound Node or even the $220 WIIM Pro Plus with the DAC in your Hegel 590, you will not only learn about streaming user interfaces, but you will also find out if your network is up to handling streaming,   Chances are good that either of these options will sound better than using AirPlay.  You can only go up in sound quality from there.

User interfaces for streamers are also part of the evaluation process for streamers.  Some people, myself included, really like the Roon user interface.  Since your Hegel H590 is Roon Ready, you can try out Roon for 14 days for free. If you have a computer that is connected to an Ethernet cable that can run Roon, you can install Roon on it and stream to your Hegel and see how it sounds.  Using an existing computer to run Roon is not a long term solution, but the trial will demonstrate to you how Roon sounds and help you to determine if you like the Roon interface enough to buy a computer/server to go that route.

Good luck in in streaming journey.

@flyfish77 

Good comment. A very valid approach.

This is not the approach I take, because I am in search of the best possible sound and when I do lots of intermediate steps and it always ending up costing me more. But that is my personality and values.
 

I got into streaming early on and streamed using a Mac, PC heavily modified to be quiet, cheap streamers, then finally the enormous gap between my CD player and vinyl disappeared. I climbed from $3K to $5… auditioned $10, $13, and finally bought $22K. I research the heck out of stuff and carefully choose components at a given price level. I could have cut out a couple levels and jumped up to a cost at my average component level and saved time and money. But, as I said, this is me.

The sneak up slowly, dip your toe in as a very valid approach for many people.

I too am having trouble with streaming, I wish someone could explain to me the actual flow of data and how it gets into my system.

Have a Peachtree Audio Decco 125 Sky that has a streamer built in. It sends out a wifi address that uses a web page to connect to my wifi network using an app like Audio Pro then allows me to log into Qobuz and stream. I can also use Airplay to connect to the streamer directly. Using the link approach with the AP app has been a constant struggle, dropping the signal and losing control of the stream.

If I use the app approach the signal is coming directly from my main wifi signal and into the streamer and the app is just controlling the Qobuz and if I use Airplay my main wifi is connecting through my computer/phone and sending the data(not at the maximum resolution) to the streamer wifi signal directly. Using Qobuz directly on computer or phone connected directly to my main wifi soulds great, with no clitches. Bandwith is not an issue, usually at least 800mbps.

Would a better streamer connect directly to my main wifi and let me control it through bluetooth? Qobuz says next year they will allow me to connect directly from the app, assume this is how spotify connect works? Although I can select my output from Qobuz now (using Airplay?) Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Re: WiFi vs. wired or external streamer USB to DAC vs combo DAC and streamer the issue is the same: WiFi receivers and DACs generate a lot of electronic noise both inherently and via their power supplies.  WiFi especially as it is also a transmitter.

it’s best to isolate each link in the chain.

So, for example, plugging your streamer into a WiFi satellite is just as good (signal dependent) as a direct line, assuming reasonable data speeds.

The benefit is that space of 4-5 feet.  

if your super paranoid, you can even get a grounded surge protector for CAT6 cable from Amazon for $40.  Not sure it would help signal, but might save equipment from a freak accident.  (I would do this if your streamer is plugged into your router and then cable.  That’s not that remote of an accident.)

@caslon 

Do you have separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks set up on your wireless router? Sometimes connection problems between two devices can happen when they're roaming between the two frequency bands.