I'm getting way ahead of myself here, but that's what an audio addict does, right? I understand that most people run the BC Thingee between their computer and DAC, but that it also has a pretty good DAC in it. Would the Thingee be a better buy than the Music Resolution MusicStreamer (not the plus)? I actually like the look of it.

No idea about the MusicStreamer, but I'm not sure why anyone would run a Thingee between a source and a DAC. The Thingee is a nice, little budget DAC. I run one between my digital files and a BC NSCS integrated. Gilbert can make some nice budget stuff when he turns his hand to it.