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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
ianrmack
227 posts
 
Not so sure the post below this is to be taken factually.

lots of discussions about how the streamer makes an impact and lots of reference points on how SQ improvements can be had that are superior to a Node 2i....which I have into a Chord Qutest.

sure, the app matters, and several up-market streamers make good ones: Innous and Lumin.

one of these days, there will a streamer shoot out going to the same outboard DAC.

until then,statements like the one below should be viewed as opinions only.

same thing was said of turntable cartridges and CD transports...right?
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62 OP
3,151 posts
 

Look at a BelCanto.  Take a look at a better
DAC.  It is all about the DAC.
If I really thought that I wouldn’t be looking at anything else. I have a heavily modified MHDT Pagoda that will stack up against anything else I could possibly afford.

Oz
soix
9,585 posts
 
IME in audio, everything matters and affects the sound at some level. Always. No exceptions.
hifihandyman's avatar
hifihandyman
84 posts
 
Dang, this is all very bad news!  I've been using my Vault running to my external DAC, and like a lot of people was under the impression that it was just ones and zeroes as well!  Ozzy, thanks for asking the question, and I'm eager to see how this plays out for you.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,308 posts
 
I doubt changing from that to any other good quality streamer alone will make much if any difference in sound streaming at the same (CD) resolution. The dac used is the key. I would not change streamers unless another had unique features that appeal to you and not with expectation another will have inherent better sound quality.
I’ve used many streamers over the year’s with external DACs and do not hear any significant or bankable differences between streamers to same DAC.

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