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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
soix
9,379 posts
 
There’s an Innuos Zen available here now for $1490 that should trounce the Node as a streamer. 
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
Hi Ozzy, I have a magna mano ultra that I like. It's also a modified R-pi, but with a built in low noise linear power supply and a number of other modifications. It also has I2S out (ps audio standard), which is what sold me on buying one. Would also love to hear what lumin and aurrender sound like in comparison. Have heard both in quality systems, but have zero idea what they contributed to the sound. 

Apologies if any of this is repeat from another thread... 
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Other than the software and user interface if you are using an external dac why would the streamer affect the sound that much isn't  it just passing the stream on to the dac to convert? It will be interesting  to read your impressions if you move up to a more expensive streamer I have  been wondering about this as well. How exactly does this Innuos Zen trounce a Node2i? I have the Node2i and use an external  dac and it sounds really nice in my system.
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