Its an honest question. I can appreciate how different components matter in a CD player, amp etc. Streamer and digital sources, passing digital data, the picture gets more hazy.
For example, many CD players differ in price and sound quality largely due to their DACs. As transports, modestly priced CDPs seem to do the job.
By that same analogy, aren't media streamers a form of digital transport?
My query encompasses both techinical and personal preference aspects. Of course if I am commiting to getting something, I will go audition them myself. But would be nice to know if its worth the effort in the first place.
There aren't many dedicated music streamers around beyond the cheap and cheerful media streaming boxes like Roku, WD, ATV. Most have onboard DACs and there aren't any back to back comparisons of their streaming functions alone.
Given I'm using Anthem's onboard DAC, I suspect I won't be looking at anything beyond £1k.
So I'm looking at the Sonos, Bluesound Node, CA NP30/50, CA SM6, Pioneer NP30/50, and Simaudio MIND.
I won't be averse to splashing out more than 1k on the Naim UnitiQs and Linn DSs if the SQ proves to be superior when using analog bypass.
I know, the Anthem despite being a musical AVR is still an AVR, and therefore may not bring the best out of the Linns and Naims. My power amp accepts XLR inputs so that's another idea with the MIND, Linn DS and Naims to use them as preamps, bypassing the Anthem.
The latter options seem a bit OTT to me, given my current setup. But I've been proven wrong before, so I don't discouint anything.
Realistically its the former, dedicated streamer with digital output under £1k.