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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
sptwriter
7 posts
 
I tested a Zen Mini but no MQA for Tidal and no Amazon interface meant no go for me. Went with the Vault 2i and will probably add a better DAC later.
jerroldls's avatar
jerroldls
33 posts
 
I went from a Squeezebox to a Node2 and then kept the Node as the streamer to feed a Gumby. The first change was an improvement. The adding the Gumby was more so. best investment I had made in a long time to my sound quality.
marklings
61 posts
 
No streamer will make any meaningful difference. Get yourself a NUC and a Roon subscription, you'll spend 1K or less and be able to enjoy your music at a different level  . . .
highpeakrider
43 posts
 
@marklings So Roon fed into an existing streamer and dac using it as a Roon endpoint delivers an improvement in sound quality?
dinov's avatar
dinov
845 posts
 
The streamer should make no difference to the sound. It’s all about the interface they have and the blue iOS has a great one. Save your money!
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