streaming and audiophile stereo

Here is a link to an informative paper on this.  It makes the point, and I agree, that you can only hear the full benefits of MQA if the recording was done in MQA.  Otherwise MQA is a simple means to compress data which gets uncompressed by the dac.  You also can't hear more than CD Redbook standard of 44.1K 16 bit.  There isn't music streaming above that standard that you can hear.  The upsampling is a means to put the noise in the inaudible range. 

The better "sounding" streamers are about noise reduction or lack of introducing noise into the data.  So shielding, multiple power supplies etc.  Your DAC does the heavy lifting of filtering noise..  I have the Lumin U2 mini and I am not sure the bluesound node would create an audible difference in the sound if you only use the streamer part of it. Would love to test that someday if I can get one. 

Tidal is better for me since it offers two things Qobuz doesn't. First a radio function to find new music based on a song, album, etc.   The second thing is you can add a song from anywhere on Tidal to an existing playlist.  I could not do that on qobuz because I had to use the Lumin app with Qobuz but can go directly from the Tidal app to the Lumin. 

here is the link

Well it seems you are interested in a very accomplished 2 channel system which may be consider at the upper end of value, not necessarily cost. 

With a 20wpc power requirement I would look int tube amplification with a high quality DAC/Streamer.  Search the many threads herein regarding streamers. I use a computer for streaming to find new music, use a transport with DAC for serious listening. I will one day get a dedicated streamer however likely not one in the budget range you may be looking for. Very good DAC/ streaming combo, either as single piece or as separates. 

Regarding tube amplification I would encourage you check out Aric Audio. Aric make several tube preamps and amplifiers. He is very accessible via net or phone. Great to talk to and  willing to advise. He also is willing to modify his products to suit individual needs. I know there are many viable manufactures however I own one of his preamps and amplifiers. Should I look to upgrade I would likely deal with him 1st.

Well, maybe not very much help for a rather lengthly response. 

Regards, Mike

@johnah5 The way I work around that Lumin app limitation is to do organization on the native Qobuz app and use the Lumin app purely to listen/stream.

@christianb5s4 

Hi yes I had to do the same thing. I had signed up for a year of Qobuz which just ended and the radio function and easy add to a playlist of songs that the radio function plays is sooooo worth the change. 

JH