Network Bridge/Streamer only for Qobuz

@temmple what DAC?

I going to suggest a different option that works for me.  The Qobuz Windows app is really good sounding giving you the option match streaming size to your bandwidth.  I'm using an I5 Kingdel Fanless Mini Desktop around $400.  WiFi extender with an ethernet port and a CAT 8 cable because the WiFi connection is a little noisy. The Kindel has both USB 2 & 3 ports but for some reason the 2s sound better.  To further isolate the DAC from the PC I use a USB power blocker on the connection to a powered USB hub.  Find a good ASIO driver that supports your DAC and then you can connect over the home network using the RemotePC that's built into windows.  You can then control the server with and app on your phone, tablet or laptop.  

My next steps will to be replace the PC external power supply with a LIFEPRO4 battery since the PC is 12V and then get a stepdown transformer for the hub to 5V.  After that I'll need a charger and some plug adapters.  So for under the cost of a Roon lifetime subscription I've got a working streamer that really sounds good.

YMMV but then again it may not.

US Bridge Signature streamer and Shanti power supply.  Great streamer for the money.

USB will pass higher resolution but might not sound better.

The iFi Zen is praised as possessing  better sound quality (than a Node) for less.

It might not be suitable for a beginner.

Lotso luck

For under $800, I'd also recommend a Bluesound Node for digital output, if your primary goal is just Qobuz and you plan to use an external DAC.

There are definitely reasons to consider something like a Lumin D2 or some other streaming DAC all-in-one, including over the analog output of the Bluesound Node, but then you're also looking at a higher price point. Which may be fine considering the total cost of a streamer plus DAC? But your question is specifically about just picking a streamer for now.

Regarding if USB or coaxial S/PDIF would sound better or if they would sound the same, it will depend on both the streamer and the DAC. So you'd have to try with whatever you end up choosing to see if one sounds better than the other.

In your budget, look into iFi Zen Streamer + LPS or a BlueSound Node 2 (bypass it’s internal DAC). The Node app is pretty robust and gives you easy access to many cloud based streaming platforms. One of the important part of streaming experience is how well the apps are integrated. In your price range BlueSound OS is one of the best. Many retailers on Node 2 offers 30 days money back guarantee. 

we sell the atolll and used to sell lumin we sell curently the 432 evo servers

we specialize in streaming we sell nad,naim,mytek,nupprime,atoll,avik and many others.

please feel free to reach out to our shop we can guide you

Dave and Troy

Audio Intellect nj

Streaming specialists