I took my Intel NUC, which has a custom analog power supply to RMAF one year. The Aurender was used at the show, but the system was set up using my NUC. Aurender lost big time, but it really had no chance. I use my NUC in an engineering and a recording system besides using it as a streamer for my personal stereo.
So, the real answer to what is better lies in the answer to the question "what software are you using". My answer, "the good stuff". This includes the driver for streaming ie USB driver software. I do not use the "free stuff". What's the difference, the clocking and the data stream accuracy.
I put these software packages on my engineering laptop, gamers would like it. It performs almost as good as my NUC as a streamer and will definite give commercial streamers a run for the money.
I have been using computers in my engineering, recording, and playback systems for years (Kleinbeck Engineering), 40 years to be exact. That was before IBM sold their first "PC's" and Sony made the first CD player. It makes analysis of the results much easier and much more reliable because I calibrate my systems to a known standards.
However, simplicity does have its rewards. Not a computer nerd, maybe commercial streamer is a better choice for you.