Favorite mid-tier streamer

I would recommend checking out the Node Icon before spending big on Eversolo.  Their support is weak compared to Bluesound,  Innuos, Aurender.  Each firmware shows how poor they are at Beta testing.  End user is their Beta. I thought Eversolo was "amazing" too until it's USB out stopped recognizing DAC immediately after update..   Been waiting since June for a fix.  That's unacceptable. 

At the top of your range , innuos  

Most streamers between $1k and $3k will have a built in DAC 

Aurender N150 has USB and is a Streamer only.    

You’ve got a ton of options.  Aurender, Auralic, Bluesound, Cambridge, Eversolo, HiFiRose, Innuos, Niam, Lumin, WiiM.  
 

I’ve had Bluesound, Auralic and Lumin Streamers in my system.  
 

Several things to consider, don’t want to use or do you use Roon, if you do, you want a Roon Ready streamer.  If you do use Roon, makes the operating system / app of the streamer less important but, a big part of your enjoyment will be how you interface with the streamer, the App is critical.  If you use Tidal or Qobuz, a streamer having compatibility on a direct basis is also a major plus.  Choosing a brand that has continuous updates to their software (operating App) is also key, along with a track record of doing so. 
 

If you are looking for a stand alone streamer that can perform admirable without holding a good set up back, Aurender, Auralic, Innuos and Lumin would be my choices.  Likely the best bang for the buck is a Lumin U2 mini with an external power supply upgrade.  I’d say overall Aurender is the top streaming brand.  All these brands are focused on streamers and DAC’s, they all have put considerable time into their operating systems (apps) that control the streamers.  All have a proven track record of supporting their products and models.  
 

HiFiRose is a newer kid to the block but makes great products, is focused on streaming and if you stretched your budget has one of the best streamers, bang for the buck on the 150b.  
 

Eversolo dollar for dollar has an insane value proposition for what’s offered but if you strip things down to a streamer only, likely isn’t besting the more established brands in the Audiophile space. 
 

Cambridge makes a some compelling streamer / DAC combos and uses the most tried and true app (Bluesound), they’ve got models that fall into your price range as well. 
 

If you plan to keep your DAC and Streamer separate, I would buy a standalone streamer, as your upgrade DAC’s, if you have a all in one unit, likely end up upgrading it, if you spend a lot of $$ on an all in one, like a Lumin X1, you aren’t likely to want to then use the X1 for just streaming, you could but money would have been better spent on a separate Streamer / DAC.

Good Luck! 

Lots option list above. But still wanna say, if you will use roon, check out roon nucleus one, 500 usd is hard to beat. Otherwise eversolo is a good choice, if yoi don't need the dac inside, just bypass it. And turn it on  one day you need it

I agree with oddiofyl.

Another to add, only because it is the one I use every day: A Sonore Optical Rendu, which is fed by a Small Green Computer i5 Sonic Transporter. I find the whole thing pretty effortless to set up and use (and I am a technological moron). Played through my Ayre QB-9 Twenty DAC, I am relaxed and engaged while streaming music. I use Roon through my iPad, and the whole user interface thing is easy and intuitive (I know, that's the Roon part, not the Sonore). 

You can do it under your budget...