Upgrade from Cambridge CXN

I have been doing a little research. Bluesound Node 2i looks like a good low cost option. What HiFi even likes the incorporated DAC.

NAD C 658 (same OS; same parent company) is also on my radar closer to the top of my price range. I am a little wary: I do not need the pre-amp or the phono section. But reviews seem to be strong

I am also thinking about the Audiolab 6000N Play which got good reviews also from What HiFi.

Both the Node 2i and the 6000N Play are cheap enough to consider buying and adding a dedicated DAC (like the Chord Qutest) later.

Node2i does a good job the app interface is easy to use but if you bypass the internal dac you will have to have an external dac that supports MQA. I am going to be selling mine soon and getting the NAD C658 which I imagine sounds very similar  with same  bluOS app but I want to try the dirac room correction. 

thanks djones51. The dirac correction feature  also appeals to me since I don’t have the luxury of building a dedicated listening room. Thanks for your input.

I heard a Cambridge streamer at a friend's recently, not sure if it was the same one you have.  The Node 2i is probably a side step and while it can be bettered by adding an external DAC, you can probably get more bang for your buck by getting an all-in-one like the Lumin D2.  I recently replaced my Node 2i and Auralic Vega DAC (a $3500 DAC when new) with a TEAC NT-505 streamer/DAC and it was a significant upgrade.  I've had DACs with and without MQA and don't miss it in the ones that don't have it.  The NT-505 does do MQA and can also serve as a Roon endpoint.