Which device makes for a better digital music source? Computer or streamer?

Why is it when people are asked to compare an audio component we are asked to do an apples to apples comparison but in pc to streamer this is thrown out the window. In general I would sure hope s $22,000 streamer would sound better than a $2000 pc. Just as a $22,000 speaker, amp, dac, and pre amp will sound better than a $2000 one. The question should be does my $2000 pc equal or beat the performance of a $2000 streamer. Can I achieve the performance on the pc by looking down stream for my upgrade ( dac, fiber, usb upgrades) to achieve a result that gives me the best bang for my buck and save a lot of money? I will never be critical of anyone who wants to spend as much money as they please in this hobby, but when a question is posed for what will help me achieve a favorable outcome let’s offer opinions that are apples to apples!

Short version. I too went from a computer to a streamer. Like Wow man! 

Having done a fair bit of reading on the subject of streamers vs computers, I haven't found much hands on info about using a MacBook pro or Mac Mini. 

I use a MacBook Pro because I really like Apple Music and there is no other way to get that streaming service. No streamer out there supports Apple Music so if you want that service then you need to use Mac computer.

I am getting really good sound on my system but I am open to suggestions for improvements and would love to communicate specifically with other Mac/Apple Music users to get their experiences

I stream from my Microsoft Surface Pro 7 (fan-less) through an AudioQuest Carbon USB B to C Cable to a Denfrips Iris and then to a Denafrips Ares II DAC.

This analog signal goes to my Ayon Scorpio XS amp and then to my Tekton Perfect Set 2-10 speakers.

A great sounding system!

On the apple front I can add some input. I've used various iterations of mac mini as server over the years. In order of sound quality, worst to best.

1. 2009 Stock mini, no optimization of OS, usb out.

2. 2009 Stock mini, partially optimized OS (some processes disabled), usb out

3. 2014 mini, I5 Intel, El Capitan OS, sata ssd, Uptone MMK and JS2, usb out, major upgrade on above, really in different league.

4. 2014 mini, same as above with some optimization (again, some processes disabled), Uptone usbRegen, nice upgrade on above

5. 2014 mini, same as above with more optimization (go into terminal and shut down more processes), thunderbolt bridge for network out vs usb out. At this point requirement to go to streamer, in this case SOtM SMS 200 Neo.This is major, major upgrade, eliminating usb rendering within server lowers noise floor greatly.

6. Same as above, add generic FMC just prior to SOTM, more lowering of noise floor, very worthwhile upgrade

2014 mini, I7 Intel PCIe ssd, Monterey OS, Uptone MMK and JS2, 3rd party wipe of unneeded apps, disable system integrity protection. Still using FMC and SOTM as streamer, pretty substantial upgrade over I5 and sata ssd. Faster processor and PCIe vs sata very nice, disabled SIP absolute necessity.

7. Same exact sertup as 6. Replace SOTM with Sonore OpticalRendu, major upgrade, further lowering of noise floor, jitter, sound quality entering realm of extremely nice analog.

Concurrent, to above mini upgrades has been continuing network upgrades, all contributed to gradual lowering of noise floor.

My analysis of servers/streamers at this point. Faster processor, OS optimization and ssd quality critical for server. Streamer quality critical as well as entire network. But for me, greatest upgrade was eliminating all rendering from server. Servers are likely noisiest component in streaming chain (router up there), not good place to do rendering with exception of the rare server that has fully optimized internal rendering. IMO, server is best as simple network device, dedicated streamer or streamer dac place to do rendering. Exception would be atx motherboard based servers with Pink Faun, JCAT usb cards, or exceptional servers such as Wadax.