Streamer options

+ 1 for the Bluesound Node 2i.  Not very expensive and you can bypass the DAC easily.  

I have the 2i and with the right cables it performs way above it's very reasonable price point.

However, whilst the Node 2i is an exceptional value I have had communications from Bluesound that if a higher quality streamer is desired then the NAD range may be able to improve on sound quality.

But that is the limit of my experience on streamers

Regards - Steve   

I read a couple years back that the Node 2 sounds the same as the NAD (same company owns) streamer. 

@aberyclark - So I posed the Bluesound Tech Support this question...

- whilst I really liked the Bluesound Node 2i, if you were to put it in a larger box, upgrade the power supply and revise internal component layout for improved isolation to lower noise levels, the sound could be amazing - so is a larger Node 2 in the works?

His reply...
- If you want all of those things - Buy a NAD

So I assumed the NAD is better. :-)

Regards

Both statements can be true at the same time. Nad might be better, in terms of components and layout etc. but that doesn’t mean it has to sound better. I have no experience with Nad, so my comment is not an opinion one way or another.