Interconnect cable recommendations for Node 2i and DAC

@Larry5729,

That Project DAC is not exactly a desirable piece of kit in my opinion. I can certainty see why you thought the DAC in the Bluesound sounded better. At $330 for the project it is entry level at best and the internal DAC in the Bluesound is no slouch 

That being said, you are missing out if you have never heard what a good DAC can do. The Bluesound does a decent job but can be greatly improved with a nice upgraded DAC. Topping and Mytek both make decently priced DACs with MQQ if that is important to you.  I would be curious to see if you still thought MQA was as impressive once you heard the improvements that a good DAC can make (and again, that's not the project). Basic CD quality tracks through my Benchmark sound noticeably better than MQA track direct from the Bluesound. Ymmv.

Hi jmphotography,
   I have a Node 2,and Qobuz. I have had Spotify,and Tidal. I find Qobuz to have the best sound of the three. I ran the Node 2 straight to my preamp for a couple of years. I was very happy with the sound. However,I kept reading more and more about the benefits of having a DAC. I finally stepped up and purchased a used DAC. WOW! I was very surprised by the increase in sound quality. Better everything,especially imaging. I agree with other posters about holding off on cables,and get yourself a DAC. I promise you won’t be disappointed. 

The DAC in the Bluesound products are fairly good considering the price of these products, and I think one has to spend a decent amount to better but not break the bank. First I used my Vault 2 through the DAC input on my Cambridge 851C and it was a night and day difference, meaning improvement for the better. The Cambridge is more refined, better all around and open where by comparison the Bluesound is a little closed in.

Next up I picked up a RME ADI-2 fs and that was a major game changer and it pretty much walked all over my Cambridge which surprised me as I have a lot of respect for the Cambridge. The Cambridge 851C is still a fine player but it it’s not up to the RME.

Recently I picked up a Teddy Pardo power supply for my RME and it pushes it to another lever. RME with a Teddy Pardo is outstanding and I’m very happy with my Vault and Cambridge feeding it. If you haven’t changed out the stock power cable on your Node you should as that will improve things as well. I built mine from parts from VH Audio.

Agree you’re going to gain a lot more with a separate DAC over different cables.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I have been listening to Qobuz the last couple nights and doing some strong A/B comparisons. Qobuz does IMHO sound better. Its more natural, organic, even more open. I was listening to a lot of female vocal, Alison Krauss and Norah Jones 2 of my favorites. The extra processing on the MQA version of Come Away with me makes her almost sound nasally and almost like she was in a tunnel, on Qobuz it was more natural, she had more presence. Alison Kraus on some louder vocal segments got too bright and her voice started to break up. On Qobuz it sounded more natural, softer. I am convinced. Now if I sell some of my older get I will get a DAC. Looking at maybe Topping D90 or its a budget stretch but a Mytek Liberty.

@jmphotography  Sent you a PM earlier.