Moving up from a Node 2i


I want to keep it between 1K and 1500.00, closer to a grand if at all possible. I don't care about onboard DACs, since I have a keen liking for mine. What is out there for a streamer, new or used, that will sound better than the Node when outputting to an external DAC? I like the functionality of the Node, don't want something with a sketchy user interface. But honestly, I think my old Allo Digione (Raspberry Pi) might have sounded a little more organic and fleshed out than the Node.

What say ye, Audiogon?

Oz



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@dernst...you said you moved from a Node? Even an original Node hooked up via it’s digital output to the MDAC+ is going to be way better than streaming Bluetooth from a phone?  All the B1 is, is a Bluetooth receiver. Sure you have a Node?
Stock rPi USB out measures extremely well and I love mine. That said, I recently bought a used Krell Connect that is amazing, but I'm using the krell DAC out, fully balanced differential etc. Probably a bit out of your range even used. 

I've read good things about Lumin, Audiolab, and Technics streamers, and have them all on my "to try" list. Good luck!
You should be able to snag an Auralic Aries Bridge for a grand.  While the software isn't nearly as good as ROON, Auralic does make both the h/w and the controlling s/w - so it will 'play nice' together. One drawback, however is the fact that the software does require an Apple iPAD for the controller (any version should work) and you can pick up an older one for $100 or so on eBay or Amazon. You can use with a dedicated USB flash drive, USB SSD or a NAS (network attached storage) drive. Not the last word in fidelity, but overall I've been very pleased with my investment.
All, I always wonder about this too - can someone explain how the “delivery mechanism” (my phrase) of the 1s and 0s of a digital signal can make any difference, and to the extent it does, why is that? I also have the node 2i and am tempted to sell it, get a better dac and run a usb from my iPhone and play tidal.  My understanding is that iPhone will unfold mqa. How would this be different than using the node as a streaming source if it just delivers 1 and 0s? I appreciate everyone’s anecdotes but can someone explain the technicalities? 
That said, on another system using a Schiit dac, data from a cd transport seemed to outperform my Tidal phone stream of the same content via USB. I can think of no technical reason for why this should be... but it does leave me with the uncomfortable idea that a “better” streamer - e.g. the AlloOne products - may have merit to the extent they eliminate electrical noise from data delivery. 
Please share your thoughts.