Streamers - Auralic, Aurender, Lumin, others...

I have the following:

Qobuz through its app on a Windows PC

A Douk Audio Pro hooked up to my PC to eliminate noise (it's called a DDC)

An Audioquest cable from the Douk to a NAD 3020 v.2 with a built in DAC.

Am I wrong to think that a streamer without a DAC won't give me any added value since I have a DDC between my PC and the built in DAC?

Buying a DDC is an inexpensive way to use your PC to a DAC in order to eliminate noise. A streamer would then be useful only for convenience and not sound?

In other words, the OP doesn't need a streamer but a DDC hooked up to the PC?

Thx.

J-Play.   

difference there actually is between the Eversolo T8 and the Lumin U2 Mini, which costs almost twice as much.

Take a look at the “Comparison” section — you might find some clues there. The reviewer’s comments on the T8 (A) compare it quite favorably to the Volumio Rivo Plus (B), which is considered the best pure streamer below the Lumin U2 ($6k). Tarun also found that the Rivo Plus, when paired with a good LPS, sounds comparable to the Lumin U2 Mini (C). So, by a simple A = B and B = C relationship, one could reasonably infer A = C.  I own B and love its SQ.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djWPA1wwt3I&t=392s

One of the best piece of advice that my dealer gave me was, everything is built to a price point. It is wishful thinking that life is otherwise. 

@gkelly 

that is what we refer to as a non sequitur.  But thank you.