Importance of streamer in audio chain

@brianportugal I’m among those who hasn’t been able to notice a meaningful difference when even partially controlling for different streamers in my home.

I’ve stuck with my comparatively inexpensive DIY since I like the freeware interface well enough and failed to notice predictable differences between it and much “better” models. Like a previous post stated: support and software should be your primary concerns. Streamers are limited-purpose computers.

The rest of our respective systems are fairly different, though, so YMMV, who knows. No one for sure yet. 😉

If you’re using WiiM internal DAC, without a doubt you would notice the difference by upgrading. Now the question is what upgrade would bring the most ROI. I’d say start with a DAC. In that system something along the lines of Chord Qutest would be a step in the right direction. I tried WiiM Pro and the internal DAC is just not that great. You can get a decent streamer/DAC combo as well (i.e. Lumin or Auralic on the lower end of the price spectrum). I prefer separates for more flexibility and better upgrade path.

you will definitely notice a difference if you want to.

The OP misspelled, it's Geshelli Labs DAC here which seems like a sonic bargain at it's modest price point.  

I stream and play CD's with the same DAC.  Since streaming is so easy to do compared to getting up and changing CD's, I've been streaming most of the time and liking it.  A few days ago on a whim, I stuck in one of my favorite CD's,  a Steve Miller blues album and now I know my streamer needs upgrading. Don't let anyone tell you it is just x's and o's.