@djones, you were right about how hard it might be to hear a difference between the DAC chips. I got the Peachtree DAC today and tried it out against the Node 2i streamer. Some listening reports.
It’s hard to control all the variables, but I played the exact same cuts on different setups.
SOURCE: Either Spotify or CD (same cut on each)
DACs: Either Node 2i or Peachtree
SPEAKERS & HEADPHONES both used.
Here’s what I know for sure:
NO NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE:
When the source is a Spotify stream, I *cannot* tell the difference between:
* Node 2i’s DAC
vs.
* Node 2i’s run via bypass through Peachtree DAC
YES, A DIFFERENCE:
* Cambridge CXC transport via Peachtree DAC (wider soundstage, clearer treble, more fulsome bass) is better than either:
* Spotify via Node 2i direct
* Spotify via Peachtree DAC
Again, this is a flawed test, and could be due to a lossy/lossless difference. That is, the lossless quality of the CD player vs. the lossy (but high quality Spotify source.
If I sign up for Qobuz or Tidal, I can do a better comparison by eliminating the lossy factor.
Everything sounds pretty great, though -- and musical.