Point of higher priced streamer?

@sangbro For the purpose of playing music via airplay from an iPad to a DAC you don’t need a streamer. Just get a used airport express with digital optical output into your DAC and then you select this airport express as your speaker.
Sound will be good.
If you get a streamer like Bluesound configure the iPad such that it serves merely as remote control, I.e. signal path is from your Wi-Fi to Bluesound to DAC, iPad is not in the path. This solution is very good. If Wi-Fi is good (eg, Google or Linksys mesh), connecting Bluesound via Wi-Fi is superior to Ethernet, I.m.e.
Even better: Get Roon. I run a roon core on a dedicated MacBook via WiFi to a couple OPPO 205 - I have yet to find better (and I have been looking quite a bit).

Since we're talking about digital data, shouldn't it be easy to prove there is a difference? Couldn't you checksum packages and compare the same content from two sources?

Hey @sangbro, you provided a totally different prospective now, thanks for sharing. It seems like you are starting from scratch, but with a sizable budget for starters. I’d say figure out the big items first. Like speakers, amp, DAC. Get a modest streamer just to get you started, like Node 2i, or a microRendu and such, then upgrade down the road if you still have the desire and satisfaction.

+1, @thyname, follow the solid advise and you won’t be sorry.
A streamer wired with a quality RJ45 cable (like Supra CAT8) will sound better than WiFi or Bluetooth connection.

Oh by the way, that Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC you mentioned, has a streamer built in. A network bridge. Hook up Ethernet to it, and you are set! No need for “high priced streamer”. And when you say “the US distributor “ of Mola Mola, you are talking about Bill Parrish? I know the guy. What exactly were you talking about “using your selection of cheaper stuff in audio shows”? I have been in at least two of his Demos, and I know what he is using