Apple TV Streaming Sound Quality vs Streamer?

@Kalali -With an Apple mobile device or computer, you basically just hit play and then choose the Apple TV box to send the music to.  Per robr45, it is truly one of the main reasons I listen to music as much as I do.  It changes so much about what you can experience in listening sessions.  -*Even though it may hamper the sound quality to some degree. 

Imo-A cd in my $200 lg blue ray player sounds much better than the Tidal. This is what sparked my feeling that the source was the weakest link. Is a cd always better than streaming? I ask because I think I would be satisfied if a streamer could offer a similar sound quality. 

Does anyone know if the node2i will bypass it’s own dac and serve to my Benchmark dac?

There are some streamer products in the $700-$800 range such as cocktail, marantz, Cambridge and others that offer additional functionality etc.  Are these good options in terms of comparable sound quality as the node? Any in particular as you go up the price scale slightly?

Are there any streamers in which you have the option of plugging your iPhone or iPad (wired) into a usb plug and play?  If so, might this sound better than streaming wirelessly?

Does the Node 2 need to be hooked to a wired ethernet to work effectively?

Since adding the Benchmark Dac, I really enjoy the added detail but it seems to be a little brash in my system or at least to what I’m used to.  Would the synchro mesh mellow it out a little?  Or am I better off getting a more laid back dac? If so what are some good ones in the 1-2k used market?

Steve: Do you have any experience with the Auralic Vega Dac? Are these more laid back than benchmark and would they benefit from the Synchro-Mesh?