I use an off-the-shelf Mac mini instead of a dedicated streamer for three reasons:
• iTunes/Music - for me the best music browser
• HQPlayer - for me the best upsampling software
• value-for-money - I use Macs professionally so I can regularly earn a laptop or desktop which has been upgraded, and a used computer is a lot cheaper than a decent streamer, has more flexibility and a lot more processing power (a must if you use HQPlayer)
It possible to do internet-streaming over Wi-Fi with just a single streamer-DAC, or just one-box.
Some streamers may even have enough storage for a generously-sized library allowing for one-box local-streaming.
My local-streaming system is comprised of the following boxes
:
1. control computer - a laptop which controls the processing computer
2. processing computer - a desktop running iTunes/Music and HQPlayer which upconverts, filters and applies DRC EQ to the files
3. external SSD drive - stores the files (have used a NAS in the past)
4. network bridge - endpoint which buffers the stream and connects to the DAC, and prevents noise/interference from reaching the DAC
5. network bridge power supply
6. DAC
7. switch - helps prevent noise/interference from reaching the DAC
8. router - this one is optional, but I have a wired-only business router which I use for my audio network because I cannot get a wire from the switch to the Vodafone Wi-Fi router which connects to the internet.
Number 8, the router, is soon to be replaced by a Wi-Fi extender which will allow me to connect my system to the internet if I wish to. I am still considering whether or not to allow the family to stream Spotify into the system...
Edit: remaining boxes are
9. integrated amplifier
10. integrated amplifier power supply
11. speakers
plus 3 ethernet cables, 1 USB cable, 1 pair L+R of single-ended IC cables, 1 pair L+R of speaker cables