Imo Hardkernel is much better than any RPI (you mostly pay for the hype…). I’m running a HC2, N2+ and M1. Everything works. Armbian doing great work here. M1 runs native arm debian with a nice Petiteboot net installer. Give it a try if you wanted to take the RPI 5. And the M1 has an nvme and Sata port too (just need the bracket for a 2,5" drive).
Okay, yeah price difference in Euros in DE isn’t as big either. But you pay more for a worse CPU. Underclock and volt the CPU and you’re still having a faster CPU with more cores. My HTPC (HP 400 G4 with 8500T) draws about 20-25w while streaming.