@azbrd
I use a Node 2 and as suggested multiple times in this thread connect it to an external higher end dac, in my case a Schiit YGGDRASIL. What ever DAC you chose to go with make sure its upgrade-able.
I wonder if some folks do not understand digital or do not believe adding a $1500-2000 DAC on to a $549 Node2i streamer will produce favorable results. Certainly can understand why if they never tried it before.
During evaluations, before I purchased my current MHDT tube DAC, I tried adding on a new $2199 Benchmark DAC3 to my current lower $ Arcam rPlay streamer and it was remarkably different sounding, shocking in fact how much more expansive the sound stage became. While I prefer a NOS R2R Ladder tube DAC setup to change tubes (in my system), it was an extremely valuable demo to prove to oneself just how much a really good DAC can change the sound one way or the other.