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



128x128ozzy62
I also have Apple Music and prefer its playlists over the Tidal ones, i'm also using Soundiiz to transfer from AM to Tidal which then flow into Roon.
Just did a test at a local dealer between the Vault 2 which is my current streamer and the Innuos Zenith mk3. The dealer set up a system consisting of DCS Bartok DAC, Gryphon integrated and Rockport Atria 2 speakers. There was a difference in signal path as the Vault was connected to the DAC via SPDIF and Zenith connected via USB. After listening to 3 well known tracks on the Zenith then switching over and listening to the same 3 tracks on the Vault, it was not hard to hear the difference. The Zenith is bigger with better defined / separated images in comparison to the Vault which sounds slightly muted in comparison. I also like Innuos's integration with Roon and being able to configure the Zenith as a core. Lastly, the potential to improve SQ down the road with their newly released Phoenix re-clocker (which I did not hear) is also interesting. I purchased the Zenith but you have to hand it to Bluesound, their price / performance is outstanding.
Different digital methods could make the difference. 
Do it over using same methods of transfer. 
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I also have Apple Music and prefer its playlists over the Tidal ones, i’m also using Soundiiz to transfer from AM to Tidal which then flow into Roon.

Phil, that’s very interesting. I have Apple Music too. Do you use the “Sync” feature of Soundiiz or do you manually select the Apple Music (AM) playlists you want to convert to playlists in TIDAL for one-way transfer?

With Soundiiz, can I move my TIDAL favorites *into* Apple Music or is it only AM *out* to other services. I read somewhere that the Soundiiz implementation of the Apple Music API’s didn’t allow modification of AM playlists but I think that’s only deletions, not additions. Trying to get some confirmation from someone who has done AM-TIDAL-Qobuz sync via Soundiiz.

Cheers,
Mike