I have the latest Bluesound Node, I run an Ethernet cable direct to it and use it as a streamer only, via coax into my dac. I am hard pressed to find much difference between streaming vs the same music off the actual CD. It’s like six of one, half dozen of the other, sometimes I think the CD is a touch better, other times the streamed version, depending on the music. I have been wondering as a streamer only, how much difference there would actually be between the $700 Node and a $7000 streamer like an Aurender for example. If the streamed signal is already very close to the actual CD, is spending that much more money going to be actually better than the CD? To me this seems impossible. If it is better, how much better can it possibly be considered the cost of the upgrade? To me it would make more sense to invest the money in other parts of the system like speakers for example. I know the Node is not considered high end but the question still remains how much better can it get spending that much on a streamer only?
Streamer Upgrade Bluesound Node To Aurender N10
Just got into streaming via a Bluesound Node running Tidal and Qobuz, streaming from an iPad Air via wifi. Very impressed by the simplicity, convenience, incredible choice of music and sound quality. My question is; if I replace the Bluesound Node with an Aurender N10 will there be a noticeable difference in SQ?
Rest of the system is a McIntosh C52 pre amp, MC312 power amp and Magico A5 speakers. I feed the digital optical output from the Bluesound Node to the C52. A/D conversion is done in the C52. If I do upgrade to the Aurender N10, what is the best way to connect the system together? A/D in the Aurender N10 or C52, type of cable connection between the two units etc?