750$ Intel NUC vs $6000 Aurender N200: I don't hear the difference

It totally feasible that putting an alternative Device into a particular system has the capability to improves on the device it is replacing. It is also possible that the device that has shown an improvement in one particular system may have the capability of reciprocating the impression it has been able to make if used within further systems, or maybe not.

Here is the conundrum and in keeping with this thread, the actual margin of improvement and the assessment of the impression the perceived improvement is offering are subjective and the assessment is unique to the reporter of their findings. I have no problem with this, I do it myself, but I don't expect the information to be taken as factual for all situations, it is merely a assessment of a experience that I have encountered.

@ deer_creek_audio is offering a description of a subjective assessment from a customer, where there was a cause for bemusement, when trying to fathom out how two vastly different priced devices had very noticeable similarities in their sonic performances.  This is very little in difference to the subjective assessment and description on offer from the OP @essrand .

If the Purchase Price of a device is to be judged in conjunction with a devices Sonic Capabilities, there is plenty on offer within this thread to encourage an individual who is considering spending monies to further their investigations into how they can achieve their next acquisition. 

It might only be limited to myself, but the effect of the information offered within this thread, has encouraged myself to extend my thoughts on my planning to produce a streaming Source within my system.      

I myself have been hovering around the use of a Streamer Set Up as a Source to work with a Bespoke Built Valve Output DAC I am using.

To see a comparison that is showing that a Streaming Method has the Possibility to be closely compared to a much more expensive device when demonstrated to each other side by side is appealing to myself.

It is certainly enough to encourage myself to consider the method as a starting point and not have to part with the Monies required to acquire a much more expensive Branded Streaming Device. 

In the past I had looked into a NUC as I had seen it referred to as a method and I am sure there was a leaning to the NUC, to be used to supply the music files only and this could be done using the NUC RAM, which was claimed to be much quieter as a method. It is all in the past now and I may be a little bit off course on the method being referred to. 

I am yet to be convinced from my previous experiences of being given demonstrations of Streaming Devices that a Streaming Source is able to deliver in a manner that is on par with a well thought out Vinyl and CD Source.  

How the comments made by other contributors to this thread reflect on how the assessment of the comparisons has been evaluated are beyond my learning stage at present. I am happy to learn more on this if further description is offered. 

Reports like the one from @essrand about their experiences encountered are welcome by myself, and this thread has been a valuable discovery.

This Threads OP is now responded to for approx' 2 1/2 Years.

I have expressed an interest in a NUC within this thread in the past.

I am on the verge of making a change to the Source used for a period of time and Streamed Music, especially FLAC files are of interest. I am not yet at the point of affiliating to a Streaming Services.

As a method to purchase a Source, and wanting to do it on a reasonably tight budget, is the NUC as a New/Used Purchase, able to offer a SQ comparable to a dedicated streaming device purchased as a used sale item, this is up to 3 years old.

Additionally I don't shy away from the concept of creating improvements on a device in use, through having third party modifications, or similar, added to the device.