Integrated Amp $1200 or less

I was in a similar position as you several months ago.  I tried a new integrated.  I got a smoking deal at Music Direct for a B stock Arcam SA20 and while I really really like it, I ended up swinging for the fences and upgraded my Node 2i altogether for a LUMIN D2.  I’ll put it this way, this was such a mind boggling improvement that I decided to move the Arcam and the Node 2i to another room for a second system.  The LUMIN was such a dramatic improvement and I continue to be gobsmacked by it.  There is also an upgrade path for it by upgrading its power supply with a SBooster.  I’ll be doing that in the near future.  My point is, cry once, smile once.  I say swing for the fences And upgrade the source altogether.

Whoa, I was not expecting that many more responses.  
I’m sorry, I should have given you all an update. 
I was already on the same page.  My next big purchase will be a really nice dac 👍

Once I pay for the Carreras, my spending may slow down so I may even get a better dac in the $500-$700 range for the interim before I drop $2000 on a dac.

I’ve already had the Carreras in this set-up and loved them; thats why I’m buying a pair!

Anyhow, Thank You everyone for the sound advice and helping me work through that decision!

My next thread started will probably be which dac below $700 ish...

Thanks Again!!

And/Or, check 17 prior related threads about adding an external DAC to a Bluesound streamer

https://forum.audiogon.com/search/index?fields=titles&query=DAC+bluesound&sort=date

already started the ghread then I read this...

oops! 
Been here for awhile and should use the search function more 😕

will start doinv that from now on.  

@b_limo,
yes, moving away from this $1200 amp thread to a DAC thread makes sense..Those other Node2i links above may only be helpful if you choose to add-on a DAC and bypass your internal DAC in the Bluesound Node2i.

FYI: In the Node2i, and other Gen2 products in that line, they moved from a Cirrus Logic DAC to a Burr Brown 24/192 DAC chipset. Fairly close to same level of what you’ll find in other $500-700 DACs you want to replace it with - likely more of a lateral move again.

Now if you step up to one of the better MHDT non-over-sampling (NOS) "R2R Ladder" Orchid dacs, or an upper Pagoda dac, or maybe an upper Schitt DAC, or go for it with a Denefrips R2R dac - maybe find one used or on sale, would be worth the jump. Some people are true audio nuts and upgrade DACS every year, buy their high $ hand me down. That’s why I keep my streamer separate from my DAC.

Some people will tell you moving to a super-upgraded DAC is, quote "the single best investment they ever made in their system", because it benefits all other downstream components, preamps, amps, speakers, final music result! Fasten your seatbelt for best-DAC feedback!

Various on this thread had some good ideas for ya too. Don’t forget, it all starts with the source and trickles downhill from there. Good Luck.