External DAC connection for Bluesound Node 2i (after "Another streaming newbie" thread)

Wondering if anyone using the Node 2i on a mesh network? I was going to use a wired connection from an access point since I’m not close to the base but it would seem the access point is using the wifi so it wouldn’t make a difference wiring in the Node 2i or not. Anyone use a Khadas Tone Board as the external DAC? I currently have a Modi 3 as the external DAC which sounds marginally better but I’ve read good things about the Khadas since it uses the ES9038Q2M chip.

I was contemplating purchase of a streamer. A new friend who wanted to audtion my speakers brought his Cambridge streamer and Denafrips DAC over for a listening session.  I was sdo impressed that I bought a used Node 2i here on AG and love it, but....  the DAC does not quite cut it for me. Just puchased and recevied today a Denafrips Ares II. Chinese built and sold from their global distributor in Singapore. It is an R-2-R "ladder" style. This design has a different sound than a DAC that is based totally on a single chip.  The sound through his Ares II was spectacular. The sound at present from my Node 2i is "pretty good."  The Ares II gets rave reviews. Some call it a "giant killer" and compare it to DACs costing $5,000 and more. A more realistic review I read says it is by far the best DAC on the market for $1200 or less.  This DAC is selling on the used market for $700 to $800.  I paid 1028 Singapore dolars - which is $778 in US dollars - for a brand new unit with warranty, free shipping, and arrive from Singapore in about ten days.

So I’m finally going to give the Node 2i a shot. I’ve been using a Line Magnetic 502CA DAC in both Tube and SS mode & like both presentations a great deal depending on the track and type of music it’s being fed. Going to try it with an Audience Coax cable and an Audioquest Toslink and see which I prefer. Wondering what people have found to be an alternative streamer to the 2i (<$1K) knowing that I will 100% be using the LM DAC and don’t need want the unit to have an internal processor,...

Audio Advisor is advertising a new version of the Node, you may want to check that out, same price.

Been reading a bit about the Auralic Aries Mini - seems to be similar to the
Node/Node 2 with no internal DAC. Anyone have experience with this piece?