late to streaming, recommendations?

Essentially streamers are networking computers.  They are optimized for sound better than bog standard computers -the previous posts touches on several reasons why a computer, which is a jack of many trades, isn’t the best at sound reproduction.  Streamers also usually look like audio components.

   There are programs designed to make PCs sound better.  Generally they shut down the rest of the computer that isn’t playing music, in order to decrease the electrical noise generated by these functions.  The programs also supply a graphical user interface, help organize your music which may reside on different hard drives or streaming services.  
  When I first started streaming I used a PC with the programs Audirvana.  Audirvana sounded notably better than the PC running without an optimizing program.  
  Eventually I tired of having a computer tethered to my system.  Being able to control everything with a mobile device was preferred.  And while Audirvana really helped sonically, a dedicated audio device, even in the lower priced streamer end, sounded better.

  Since the OP likes the CA DAC Magic I think he probably would really like the current lineup of CA streamer-DACs, which now use the ESS Sabre Chips.  I own 2 CXN 60s which essentially use his current DAC.  I use external DACs for both but the native DACs are no slouches.  The CAs have been reliable and the app that controls them is quite good.

  If he wants to go cheaper I would recommend one of the Wiim devices to use with the DAC Magic.  I had bad luck with Bluesound products reliability, and for the same price range as Bluesound I would go with CA

Well I’d spend a grand or two if I thought it was really worth it.

Maybe to put this in perspective, in streaming terms with your computer and DAC you’ve got the equivalent of a $200 turntable playing through a $400 phono preamp — would paying $2000 on upgrading both be “worth it?”  Much like with analog, the more effort and $ you put into your streaming setup the better your results will be, and from where you’re starting the potential improvements are huge.  Since you’ve clearly grasped the wonderful benefits streaming can bring I’d highly recommend upping your budget to like $5k for a new DAC and streamer and you’d be on another level entirely (think of how a $2k analog rig would compare to one that costs $5k).  Just my $0.02 FWIW, and best of luck in upping your streaming game.  You should also give Qobuz a try with a free trial as well especially after you upgrade because Spotify “lossless” while good is still compromised. 

OK!  Thanks guys, for the first time I understand what a streamer is and what it's for!  :-)  Now the research begins, seems like there are plenty of options within my budget.  That Eversolo device looks promising.  Also, for what it's worth, I finally built my virtual system here.  

I went from using an IPAD to stream to my DAC (which is better than windows) to the Italian made Volumio Rivo+ Streamer ($1500), and it sounded a lot better with Qobuz and my ripped music files.  I also bought a LPS (Linear Power Supply) for the Rivo+.  I would look at a dedicated streamer that also plays your ripped music files.  Note: I believe a low voltage dedicated streamer that also plays music files paired with an LPS is a very cost effective solution for better SQ. 

for the op starting out, i would suggest a node or node nano with a linear power supply... more musical than an eversolo unit, which sounds quite ’digital’ (not in a good way)