Where do you go after a BlueSound Node 2i?

I would echo many of the above responses.  

I run TIDAL through a Node 2 (wired input via Cat6a) to an external DAC (Electrocompaniet ECD-1) and recently upgraded the coax interconnect to a Tara Labs 'The One' with HFX ground station - SQ is excellent.

In terms of alternatives to the Node, I think you'll have to spend a lot of money to improve SQ if a high-quality digital cable and a high-quality external DAC are already in use with the Node.

@cio52  sorry for the delay

I don't believe the streamer 'quality' is as important as the 'DAC'.

My rationale is when I upgraded from the Node 2i streamer, I listened to it in 3 configurations.
1.  Node 2i - Streaming and functioning as a DAC
2.  Node 2i - streaming with my McIntosh C2600 functioning as a DAC
3.  Node 2i - streaming with Moon 280 D functioning as a DAC

I noticed an improvement from 1 and 2 on clarity of details in peaks of music.  The use of the Moon as a DAC demonstrated a greater improvement and the overall details throughout the range of peaks and valleys in music.

Additionally, I tested the impact of using the Node to stream versus the Moon and I didn't hear any difference.  I noticed the interface difference.  Therefore I believe the streamer is simply provide source content to the DAC - I'm speaking only from experience as I am not an expert on all DACS.  (I know there are some DACs that require separate clocks)

@mrklas thanks for your response

Since I wrote last I have decided to buy the Roon Nucleus with an SBooster power supply and a 1TB SSD to replace the Node 2i over coax and Roon from the Windows 10 computer.  I am waiting on them to be delivered.  I will be using the DAC on the C49 and a Morrow Reference USB cable.  Will write more after I've had a chance to break everything in.

@mrklas -- I have to respectfully disagree. I replaced the Node 2i, which was feeding an external DAC, with Sonore opticalRendu feeding into the same DAC, and the difference in sound is quite substantial. I haven't done a blind test, but I have swapped the two units several times just to make sure the gains were real. Having said that, I understand that auditory memory is not a reliable yardstick, but I definitely enjoy the wider soundstage, and a noticeably lower noise floor.