Question/Help Needed: Boomer who is totally inexperienced with DACs and streamers.

Another boomer here who also recently got into audio streaming. I went with the Cambridge Audio CXN-V2 network streamer for the simple reason that most of the reviewers stated that it was an excellent first unit with surprisingly good sound. I will vouch for both. It has an internal DAC with analog outputs, and also digital outs for use with an external DAC. I have been using the internal DAC and have no complaints with the sound. It was easy to set up, and Cambridge's StreamMagic operating system makes using the available streaming services very easy. I have been using it on a trial with Qobuz and have been very happy with it's performance, along with Qobuz's selection and Hi Res offerings. It has a nice full color display that shows the album cover and other pertinent information about the track playing, and putting the StreamMagic app on your smart phone gives you full control as well. It also comes with a full featured remote, but I prefer to use my smart phone. A pleasant surprise is that the CXN-V2 also recognizes my Sony HAP-Z1ES server as a music source since it is on the same network. I run both units on an ethernet connection rather than WiFi.

+1, @arafiq on Node. 

Boomer here also.  Using your Alexa to stream will give you a very compromised sound quality.  The Alexa receives the streaming files via MP3 protocol,  which is a very lossy compression codec. As suggested by several previous posters,  I  would recommend either the Wiim Pro Plus, or the Bluesound Node, and take the digital output into your DAC. I have a Bluesound Node and use both Amazon and Idagio for streaming services. The Node supports Amazon streaming in Ultra HD  (24/192). I'm not sure what the Wiim supports. You won't have voice control,  but the Bluesound app control from a phone or tablet is very intuitive and user friendly.  I  have a very resolving system,  but have stuck with the Node just because of the app and the streaming services that it supports.  I did modify the Node with a TeddyPardo Linear Power Supply, which really improved the SQ.  I now use streaming for about 90% of my listening. Good luck with your audio experience!!

Thanks, from my reading the Wiim Pro Plus supports 24/194 as well. In looking at that vs the Node, aside from the price (Node is twice as much) the Wiim digital outs are coaxial and optical, while the node has USB as well. Some past posts suggest the optical is not optimum, but the specs for the optical on the Wiim and my NAD internal DAC suggest they fully support 24/192 as well. So if I go for the lesser priced one (Wiim) with optical, am I losing sound quality vs a USB connection? Hope that question makes sense....

Also, to everyone that has responded - THANKS!!!! I am learning a lot......and to be fair to all, I am limited by budget where the Node would be a stretch and the Wiim would be cool. Buying the NAD amp took a big chunk out of my "things you want but don’t really need" budget.....LOL...

I use the coaxial out on my Node, into a PS Audio Directstream DAC.  The optical will provide the same resolution,  but perhaps a bit more jitter (some may debate this). If the Wiim Pro Plus is what fits your budget,  I think you will probably be very happy with it.  It will be significantly better than streaming from an Alexa device!