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Jaw Dropping Improvement?

60-something, intermittent earner here (Read “mostly starving-artist with the rare, unexpected windfall here and there.”) who has just acquired a Bluesound Node 2i.  I’d be very interested to hear what external DAC, in your experience-and-opinion gave such a dramatic improvement in SQ over that of a stock Bluesound streaming device as to be jaw dropping...an absolute game changer.  Does such an animal exist for less than $2000 U.S. or are improvements at this price point more in the nature of subtleties?  Somewhere in between?  To be sure these things are subjective but your take on this would give me a running start on researching things here with a fairly tight budget being considered — If subtle-to-low/moderate level “tweaks” to SQ are all I can expect from, say, a Qutest or Gungnir Multibit, I’ll probably stay with just the streamer and be happy.

Thanks in advance.
lg1
hshifi
572 posts
 
Hello,
Another idea or upgrade is the streamer it’s self. Upgrading the whole streamer/DAC itself. The Teac TN-505 all in one smokes the BlueSound. Not because Blue sound is bad. I added a BlueSound Node 2i and I really appreciate it for what it is. A $550 piece that is worth $1000. The Teac will set you back $1999 but the streamer and the DAC are on another level. Teac uses Lumin tech which is on the next level above Teac. If you are interested in Lumin streamers the shop I use will hardwire an SBooster to give you ultimate streamer/DAC.  You can sell the BlueSound since it is the most popular HiRez  streamer out there. Yes, a little over budget once you sell the BlueSound. Lets not try to turn you Honda Civic into an Acura NSX. Save up, sell the Honda, buy the NSX. No need to worry about a good cable from the DAC to streamer because it’s all built in the Teac TN-505. It’s also a better headphone amp. If you have a local store demo it. You will be jaw dropping wowed. If you are in the Chicagoland area I use Holm Audio. I wish all of us would recommend our local brick and mortar stores. We need to keep these places alive. Otherwise you can order all your stuff on Amzn in the future. Just a concerned patron. https://holmaudio.com/
williewonka
3,075 posts
 
@lg1 - I simply added GREAT cables to my Bluesound Node 2i - granted, the cables cost more than the Node 2i, but I didn’t introduce yet another device with all of its associated noisy cables into the mix

The Bluesound has a great DAC and an excellent analogue stage - trouble is - it is so good that if there is any noise in the cables it will process that noise as it does the music. Get rid of that noise and it treats you to
  • stunning clarity and details
  • an expansive and airy image
  • amazing dynamics
  • a deep textured bass (not boomy)

These are the cables...
My Audio Alchemy (image99.net)

If you are not into DIY then there are some members here on Audiogon that will build them for you.

Take a look at this thread to read their impressions of these cables
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/duelund-conversion-to-diy-helix-geometry-cabling

Each time we add a component into the chain we are simply adding to a complex noise problem - I like to keep things simple - limit the components and and get rid of the noise :-)

Regards - Steve

tk21
238 posts
 
I own both the Node 2i (not currently in use) and a more expensive DAC/streamer (the Matrix Element X).  FWIW, these 2 DACs have shown up at nearly opposite ends of the ASR measurements, Matrix near the top and Bluesound near the bottom.
vhttps://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-matrix-audio-e...
(you may be able to find more recent versions of this chart)

I would not attribute a "jaw dropping" SQ difference to the DACs, per se.
However, I do experience a jaw-dropping SQ difference by adding BACCH4Mac software processing to my system.  The Intro version costs $980, plus the cost of a Mac computer to run it on (which I already owned).  I don't think there is any way to feed BACCH4Mac output into a Node 2i because you'd need a USB connection (which the Matrix Element X does support).

BACCH4Mac manipulates the audio signal in the time domain, so it isn't quite like room correction software.  It purports to minimize/eliminate crosstalk.  The effect isn't as dramatic on all recordings, but on some, it can rather dramatically widen/deepen/heighten the perceived soundstage.  For example, a performer who seemed to be near your left speaker without BACCH might seem to be performing as much as several feet away from the same speaker with BACCH.  The effect, I think, is likely to be much more dramatic than the effect of any new cable or DAC chip. 
calieng
144 posts
 
When you can afford it try a Lumin U2 Mini with a Denafrips R-2R DAC. They pair well together and it is a night and day difference (maybe not jaw dropping).
sameyers1
138 posts
 
+1 for a pre-owned Ayre Codex. But here is an interesting question. At your age I discovered I suffered from hearing loss at frequencies above 3k Hz. It is a common issue.  Have you any suspicion that it may be the case for you? If so, a visit to a good audiologist and, if necessary, a quality hearing aid could be a better use of your funds. 
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