for streaming why not computer/galvanic isolation/DAC clock?

FOMO is a real threat. I am getting into DIY. The next goal is to find a good high efficiency speaker and build SET amplifiers - lot to learn. This post is more about trying to understand what is happening, and how these things are engineered. I think working with tube amps that sound good by virtue of their simplicity would be a good place to go. I agree that being happy now with the big thing in the living room is great advice. Even my wife likes it now - just asked for written instructions on turning on and off. Now that is rare and lucky.

They are better because they a engineered for audio, not computing.

So simple it evades you? Apple has shown to be cavalier about SQ.

If it’s good enough enjoy.

I listened to computer/DAC sound for many years before moving on. If something is better, only an engineer/designer should care why. To tell the truth I don’t give a rat’s ass.

When I use WiFi rather than an ethernet connection there are no dropouts;  I assume that is better than bringing in noise from ethernte.

No.  Just, no.  You are hugely mistaken.

a mac mini is not cheap, but costs far less than high end streamers. Do people pay for the file management etc, or is the SQ better with a dedicated streamer?

A Mac Mini is cheap, and yeah, there’s a reason there are expensive streamers out there.  Just try one and you’ll see/hear why a streamer matters.

Thanks. All my stuff downstream of DAC bought used and broken over last few years.  Good way to afford stuff and find synergy. Found that for the set up I described galvanic isolation in usb between computer and dac mattered. Couldn’t discern any difference between wireless and ethernet connection.  Putting in dedicated line helped a lot, especially during the day. 

I have been trying to figure out how to best stream to my set up and looked at many alternatives, all the conflicting posts etc etc. I just wonder why one cannot use a computer with a device for good galvanic isolation, and rely on the clock within the DAC to eliminate issues of jitter.

You can. I do, I use an Intel NUC, home made Linear power supply, isolation on the digital link, Since its USB the DAC will read to buffer and re-clock anything - need it or not (well, in that case it needs it). The jitter will be exactly as good as the DAC - almost guaranteed better than any streamer, once recovered from a signal (which is imprecise and is a known challenge in super high frequency digital signals (like 100s of times faster that these silly ~ 1.5 Mbps links)

IO have an extraordinarily resolving system in the bog picture and get fantastic sound - subject ot the recording of course.