It’s quite simple. A Network Streamer has an analogue output, ergo it contains an internal DAC which is the connection to your audio system ((pre)amp).
A Streaming Transport is only a “bridge” between your network and your audio system. It does not have any analogue outputs and ergo no internal DAC. So an external DAC is necessary to connect it to your (pre)amp to make it sing.
If you already own a great DAC, then a “bridge” or transport will be sufficient. Else you will need a network streamer
