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Need DAC/Streaming Advice

I currently own a Bryston BDP-2 digital player that I run through a Bryston DAC.  As far as playing high resolution files via a thumb drive or other external drive, the BDP-2 sounds great.  The streaming part leaves a lot to be desired.  I can stream Tidal but it is extremely slow and the IPad controller is pretty lousy.  I can listen to Sonos through the DAC into my main system but obviously there is no hi-Rez via Sonos. I would like to find a better solution and am willing to start over (I can move the Bryston components to my secondary system).  What I would like to find is a higher end streamer for my main system that would allow me to stream Tidal, Spotify and Deezer if possible while also playing digital files via thumb drive etc. I have no idea if that can be done in a one box solution or if I would need a separate streamer and DAC.  I would very much appreciate any and all thoughts.  Thanks in advance.
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lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,531 posts
 
@puppyt,

Unless you try, you won’t know. Most Aurender and Bluesound online retailers offers 30 days return policy. 
big_greg
6,639 posts
 
You can find a used BlueSound Node 2 for around $300, or a "re-certified" one from BlueSound for $400, or spend $500 on a new Node 2i.  It will do everything you want it to and more.

If you buy a used one and decide you don't like it, you're not going to be out too much money (if any) if you decide you don't like it and flip it.  If you buy a new one, BlueSound has a 30 day return policy.

Try it and decide for yourself.  

I'm running one through my Auralic Vega DAC in my main system and it sounds great.  The best bang for the buck component I think I've ever bought.  I have one in my bedroom and am using the internal DAC on that one. 

The Node 2 sounds quite good on its own, but will sound better when connected to a high quality DAC.

Before I actually listened to one, I was skeptical and also considered it an "entry level" piece because of the low price. 
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puppyt OP
97 posts
 
Thanks for these suggestions. It sounds like Bluesound is best if run through a separate DAC rather than using the built in DAC. The Aurender sounds like another option to try as well. Appreciate the ideas.
2psyop's avatar
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2psyop
1,593 posts
 
There is talk of entry level products with regard to DAC components. My experience has been that since the DAC chip itself and implementation of the design and layout is changing so fast in the audio world, what had been a top level component 6 years ago, or mid level component 3 years ago might not sound as good as an entry level component today. Best to take that kind of reasoning about entry level DACs with a grain of salt if you are not changing out DACs every 6 to 12 months. The Node 2 really sounds as good as my Benchmark DAC 1 and also as good as my Schiit Bifrost Uber especially if you consider the sound of many MQA tracks. The dynamics on much of the material is very, very good. I think I could get much better if I spent twice the money on just a new DAC alone.
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