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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
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62 OP
3,214 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
9,758 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
22,410 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.

mgrif104
361 posts
 
To those who say the streamer shouldn’t make any difference, I would suggest you try one.  I noticed a very substantial improvement in sound going from a Node 2 into an outboard DAC and upgrading to an Aurender N100.  And, again when I employed an Auralic Aries G2 in another system as an upgrade over a Node 2. It’s a very noticeable improvement.  I would suggest as important as the DAC.  
Best,
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