late to streaming, recommendations?

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)

Wiim into an external DAC