Streamer vs computer?

Thanks for your responses!
@gdnrbob -- you are correct, I was talking about the Bluesound Node 2, not Bluenote. And yes, I can only get 24/96 from Tidal MQA's desktop app; the reason I'm looking at the Node 2 and other MQA DACs is so I can get 24/192 from Tidal. 

@2psyop -- I'm in a similar situation; spending $5K so I can get closer to vinyl quality from my CD collection does not make sense to me.  From your response, it sounds like the advantages of Node 2 are:
1) it enables full unfolding of MQA files;
2) it can be remotely controlled from your iPad (nice feature), and
3) it frees up your computer for other uses.

Currently, my only DAC is the one built into my Cambridge CXU, which isn't very good.  I was hoping to get a better, standalone DAC with my next audio purchase, and it seemed like the Node 2 would just give me a second low quality DAC with the ability to stream, which I already have with my computer.   Nevertheless, your endorsement of MQA through the Node 2's DAC, over Benchmark and Schitt, caught my interest.  Were you running the Node 2's converted (analog) output into those DACs, or were you running Tidal's Redbook, non-MQA signal to them? 

For any others reading this who think I'm wasting my time with MQA, I have this question. Tidal's Master subscription gives you two options: standard 16/44.1 Redbook streaming or 24/192 MQA.  I'm not aware of any other way to stream high res files, and I generally prefer the sound of Tidal/MQA to Redbook.  Since there is no other competitive hi-res streaming source, why wouldn't I take advantage of MQA?

@willemj thanks, but you did not answer my question. In the online streaming world, what other choice is there? If your answer is just Redbook, I disagree. I have done many comparisons, and MQA wins (or at least ties) every time. 

Thanks @2psyop -- I agree the Ayre is a false comparison, given its price.  I'm also going along with you on that Death Star thing.  It sounds like everyone who is finding fault with MQA is either comparing it to a DAC I can't afford, or they haven't actually listened to MQA for a fair comparison.  Maybe someday I'll be able to afford an Ayre, or a Yggy, or an e32, or whatever -- but until that day comes, $500 for a Bluenote sounds pretty good.

 Thanks Bob, I suspect you’re right — that the Bluenote’s digital output of a Redbook file may sound better through an Ayre DAC (or equivalent)  than an MQA version of the same file from the Bluenote. However, until I can afford to spend $2000 on a DAC, the Bluenote maybe a good intermediate step. Thanks again for your advice!