I think almost anything is good enough to start and find out if you will stick with something, then upgrade after experience and research.
I agree, separates for future changes.
Based on suggestions here, I bought an inexpensive Topping
for usb out of my PC, made a big improvement, certainly good enough for me. That’s just my office, music videos. I don’t stream elsewhere.
I will say, my friend bought a streamer and dac after lots of research, thought it was great.
I visited him, we played LP’s of female voices we both liked, then streamed same. Access, convenience terrific, but sound was not good. Eva, Ella, Sarah, Annie, Fontella, Barbra and Donna, .... none of the women’s voices sounded ’right’.
He had to admit, he had not compared, he was just so thrilled with ’everything’ available, and he likes using his phone to do things, the opposite of me.