NO! I guarantee my 179 dollar grace digital streamer sounds identical to a big buck over priced streamer in a blind test. It's all bull to sell you something you do not need.
Do Streamer only devices really impact sound quality?
From a layman mindset, a streamer transmits electronic information to a dac via coaxial cable or other connection. The electronic information I believe is standardized for all streamers. That said, the streamer itself could not influence the sound quality heard by the audience. I think it is bit-perfect information coming across to the dac.
So for instance a Bluesound 2i vs Cambridge CXN V2 streamer should sound identical with the same connections and equipment used and of course same streaming service and content.
thoughts appreciated if I have this correct?