Point of higher priced streamer?

ha. This thread is getting out of the hand.

Still I don’t get any information except the possibility of strong cleaner signal possiblity.

First of all, I already get a scientific answer from ASR. 
He’s a measurement guy and I trust his call.
Thing that he doesn’t like is about coloring aspect adds value.
He is straight forward neutrality guy, and I respect that.

It seems some people are offended without ability to explain in any scientific explanation. 

I will stop here.

I do not use streaming service for my serious listening. 
If Apple didn’t discontinue the product, I will consider air express.
Still Node2i can do the same thing with little more future proof, like idagio streaming. I can’t find other streamer supports Airplay 2 and Idagio. 

About tombaqui, I can simply get it. The thing is I happen to know that VA Beethoven is also pretty good with Auralic Vega. Cheap used one. And this combination was once used in Speaker demo at the show. When I can get things cheaper, I don’t want to pay more.

It’s non of your business, but I’m working for medical industry and travel to do something with this pandemic based on invitation, so once I get PCR tested, I get the clearance. 

Again, and finally, there is not really measurable / scientific base that I learn from here to at least discuss with ASR.
So far I try to find any measurement from manufacturers’ sites but no luck.

I guess ASR wins again in this part. 

Good luck! Stay with ASR. You will save a boatload of money, and your system will sound like crap, but you will never know 

“I do not use streaming service for my serious listening”

@vinpic, you’ve nailed it with your post 👇

“You shops for ‘mid-range’ streamers between 8-30K (what is top of the range then?) using Mola Mola Tambaqui dac whilst not knowing that the Tambaqui has a built in streamer... and ask the classic ‘a bit is a bit, why should I spend more’ questions to get folks excited on audiogon. The whole story seems built on shaky grounds, probably to amuse you whilst listening to music on a basic mp3 setup” 

I have a background in IT inc Networking for 45 years and technically like others have argued digital is just bits and bytes so as you are obviously a man of conviction and if it cannot be technically proven then you should not invest.  BTW I hope you apply the same logic to Audio Routers, Audio Ethernet cables and Audio Power connections (note weeks of arguments with my sons who are both electricians).

My experiences are;
- electrical just make sure you have good power into your hifi room (dedicated circuit is best) and good shielded cables, heavier than domestic plugs and power points (some hospital grade kit I find good), remembering 10A is what the components are rated, most except Power Amps typically don't pull 10A.
- Network any Tier 1 router products and cabling  (Cat6+) will do the job, its just about guaranteeing bandwidth, I also use Mesh Wifi 6, audio routers I just cannot make sense of ... 
- Streaming well I relied on my high end Laptop with a custom built USB cable and was happy for quite a while but had this nagging question on transports, brought some cheapy Yamaha Musicast devices, okay then upgraded to Node 2i's, i have 2 Grouped on separate systems and use them to fill my house with music and they are quite good, better sound than the Yamaha.  For my main listening systems I have a range of  sources which split on the output of the DAC to each system and a while back purchased a Lumin U1 Mini (cheaper in Hong Kong), I find a lot more detail in the music compared with my Laptop or Node 2i and have swapped them in and out.  Don't know what they do inside the unit technically but I am sold and it produces a better sound than my Vinyl (Lp12 and RP8).

I tested multiple "steamers" but didn't scratch the surface as there are so many out there. In the end, I felt the DAC made the biggest difference. I tested several combos but it is really futile as there are soooo many.

In the end, I chose a Streamer that checked off boxes for every major streaming service and a cd ripper. (I still buy cds along with the vinyl pressing if possible) At some point though, I will try other steamers.. its just last on my list right now.