What determines a streamers sound quality.

Any difference will likely have more to do with noise isolation, and the electrical interaction with your DAC than any difference in how the 1s and 0s are handled. The YouTube site Analogholic posted a really instructive video on this topic 3-4 weeks ago. He explains his view of when and how streamers sound differently. He gives a good primer on the science involved-might challenge some audiophile dogma and, of course, there is room for disagreement but this video would at least give you a good foundation for understanding the issues-then you can decide for yourself.

Kerry+1 

Streamers only make significant differences when the DAC they are connected too have issues. If your DAC can isolate the noise sent down the line / shielding etc., has a buffer (almost all modern DAC’s do), and has a good clock you won’t find significant differences in Streamers. I’ve had 5 streamers now ranging from $500-$6000 and after my DAC and cables (cables that can transfer the digital signal unaffected by outside sources etc.) were sorted I found little difference. For me it’s spend the money on the DAC and then the streamers are less a critical item. I do not know if the AudioNote DAC’s have the required isolation, buffers etc. they are a little on the old school side of the house.

everything outside the streamer