Do different streamers really sound different when using an external DAC

I used Bluesound products (Vault 2 and the latest Node) for several years combined.  In my experience streaming via Bluesound sounds best when wired (vs. wireless), which in my case was with a wireless extender.  Adding a DAC is also a BIG plus... and upgrading the power cord helped some as well.

However, I just made the jump to an Aurender N10 server/steamer... and the improvement in sound quality in upgrading my streamer/server was significant.  Granted I went from a Bluesound that retails for $600 to an Aurender that goes for $8,000... so not an apples to apples comparison.  But for those that claim all "bits are bits" and all servers sound about the same, I don't find that to be true.

Alvin, I have a Bryston BDP Pi that I bought to replace my aging MacMini. The improvement was obvious, the MacMini sounded sluggish by comparison. I also connected the Pi to a linear power supply. I’m running the Pi to an Ayre QB9 Twenty DAC via usb cable. Send me a personal email if you wish and I can add further to the upgrade.

There is a difference between DACs but that difference can only be perceived through high-end sources and speakers

Thanks  everyone, very useful. Looks like many worthwhile experiences in upgrading the streamer and no doubt there is a significant difference when going from a Node to a $8000 Aurender as pdewher did. Of course the million dollar question is  how much does one need to spend to make a cost effective upgrade if $8000 is more than one wants to spend?  Any suggestions? Would an Aurender N100 be enough to justify the expenditure or must one go up the food chain further?

@alvinnir2 Even an upgrade from Macmini to a modest Sonore microRendu w/LPS made a significant improvement in my pretty resolving system(Soundlabs, Krell amp, BAT preamp). Cheers,

Spencer