How much would I lose going to a Bluesound Node 2i

Have you considered a NAD C-658 or is that even a fair comparison?

Hi,  While I owned the Bluesound Node 2 (not 2i), I too was interested in comparing the internal DAC with my new Stellar Gain Pre / DAC from PS.

I first used the internal Bluesound DAC, then compared with both Coax and Optical connections into the Stellar Gain. To be clear, I did use cheap RCA connectors for the analoge out of the Node. The difference was impressive, with the Stellar Gain DAC sounding much better.  I have since ordered the Direct Stream Junior.  Can't believe the 2i will outperform what I heard, and am excited to hear the DSJ. Also the DSJ is Roon / MQA.

This is not exactly responsive to your issue, but I noticed that you are using a Synology NAS wirelessly. to the Auralic..  When I moved from a small hard disk near my desk-top and DAC to a wireless Synology, I noticed a drop in SQ.  So I considered doing some drilling to set up an ethernet connection.  Before I decided to drill, I got an inexpensive 50 foot cable from ebay and connected through a stairway as a trial.  The SQ was restored and I drilled and put in a 12 foot cat 6 cable and all is well, probably better than before.

There will always be listeners who embrace the latest and supposedly greatest.  But new technology only succeeds when it represents a paradigm shift for the average buyer and becomes the new standard for everything else.  78->LP  LP->CD  VHS->DVD   Tube TV-> Flat Screen.   Quad LP ?  HDCD/SACD/DVD-A ?  3D TV, Curved screens ?   All fell flat.  With regard to sonics,  technologies like SACD and DVD-A are wonderful, with a demonstrable improvement vs 16/44 CD, but the later was enough for the general buyer, and both SACD and DVD-A are essentially dead.  

Incremental and marginal improvements are not enough to cause buyers to invest in new technology.   With MQA you have to invest in both MQA software, and MQA compliant hardware.  While there is a vigorous debate regarding the sonic merits of MQA, all parties agree that the only current beneficiary is the patent holder.  You have to pay to play.

As to the original post.  I have a Node 2.  I am aware of its deficiencies compared to higher end digital boxes.   But the Note 2 (and 2i) are better than their price points would indicate, punching far above their weight as the British would say.  However, both are improved by connection to an outboard DAC, which can represent a significant additional expense.  This begs the question of why not seek a streamer/DAC box of higher quality, instead of shuffling through external DACs (another box....) to find a good combination ?  There are several higher end, and high end stream boxes with incredible on board DACs available...and some of them are MQA compliant for what that is worth. 

It’s very clear that the Node 2i is a significant improvement on its superb predecessor.

In my system, rotating between Quad ESLs and Thiel CS 3.5s, I hear better sound at all times through the Node 2i than through my Benchmark DAC2 HGC. Frankly the improvement isn’t even subtle, MQA and otherwise.

This has totally amazed me. The Benchmark is a fantastic DAC and my original intention was to feed the Node 2i’s digital output through it. Turns out it’s better without doing that and I am able to do comprehensive A-B analysis. Anyone else who has heard to comparison agrees that the Node 2i is a winner.

A fabulous bargain.