when did it all get so complicated?

Don’t know what you’re so worked up about. It’s pretty simple really. You said:

1 device - just one, plugged into the back of a croft integrated controlled by my desktop (ok or an old ipad)

Any streamer that has a built-in DAC will do that. The most common recommendation is BlueSound Node. Plug it into the Croft, use your desktop (or iPad) to control the Node. Stream your choice of music streaming services, such as Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, etc).

Personally, I use a simple streamer I built using a Raspberry Pi 3+ computer board, with a HiFi Berry Dac+ Pro DAC/Hat, running Volumio OS. Yes, it is more complicated than the dedicated BlueSound Node, but it’s also less expensive. The Allo Boss II is a similar, but pre-built Raspberry Pi based streamer, but they push the Moode OS instead of the Volumio OS I’m using. I previously used Moode and did not care for it.

Anyway, it’s not that complicated. If you want simple, just get the BlueSound Node and plug it into your Croft and control it with your desktop or iPad.

@artemus_5  - Are you referring to streaming your NAS based files on an PRI based system with Volumio, or a BlueSound Node? Or some other hardware and OS?

@artemus_5  - Thanks for the explanation. It seems that your use case is more complex than what the OP is seeking. He just wants a single device, connected to his integrated amp, that he can control from his desktop or iPad. If he's just streaming Qobuz or Tidal, seems a simple BlueSound Node would fill the bill and not be particularly complex. 

@rand24us - Here’s what you stated as your desired outcome:

i want to noodle around tidal or qobuz website and hit play and thats it.....no NAS no multi room... if i like it i buy an album....jeez the industry looks like its actively trying to get in the way of listening to music to sell unnecessary software and hardware.

There’s another simple solution for this. You could simply stream from your desktop to a BlueTooth receiver connected to your integrated amp. In addition to the RPI streamers that I use in a couple of locations in my home, I also have the very good Auris BluMe HD bluetooth receiver connected to both systems. From my laptop, I can simply connect to the Auris via bluetooth as stream any audio source that is running on my computer. For instance, I often stream music or music videos from YouTube and play it on my computer via the bluetooth connection. I’ve also streamed Spotify and Tidal to to Auris BluMe HD bluetooth receiver.

Folks will tell you that bluetooth is a lossy transmission technology, and that is true. However, it’s gotten pretty good and the Auris BluMe HD is the best sounding bluetooth receiver I’ve used (4 different ones at different price points).

Streaming to a bluetooth receiver is possibly the easiest method of getting streaming content from your desktop to your audio system. Wouldn’t even need an external controller (iPad). Just play like you already do on your desktop, but have it connect to the bluetooth receiver instead of playing on the desktop’s connected speakers.

I happily used the Auris BluMe HD for a couple of years before I built my PRI based music streamers. It worked like a champ and I discovered a ton of great music streaming Spotify, YouTube and Radio Paradise from my laptop via bluetooth.

@rand24us  - Excellent! Let us know how you like the Auris BluMe HD.I have one each of the previous 2 versions and they are fantastic. If your is even better still, I think you will enjoy it. 

I bought  WIIM Mini based on the Darko review. Works great. Sound Quality is not quite on par with a Raspberry Pi 3 / HiFi Berry DAC Pro+ running Volumio, but it is easier to use, so there's that...

I bought my WIIM Mini when it was $89 on Amazon and it is a screaming good deal at that price. Up to $100, hard to beat for streaming. BTW, it has gotten better over time IMHO, or I've just gotten used to the sound. Regardless, enjoyable at less than <$100.