Has Anyone Compared the DAC On a Bluesound NODE 3rd Gen to a Separate DAC?

The Bluesound Node has a lot to be desired when it comes to SQ, try using it connected to a outboard DAC and youll know right away.

Bobbyloans,

Yes the Burr Brown PCM 5242 32 bit / 384 kHz DAC chipset in the Node does leave a lot to be desired. Dual Mono, R2R dual  ladder, and FPGA DACs will greatly improve on the Node DAC

I started without external DAC…sounded good…then Added ares II…sorta sounded better but not big difference….added external power supply…no difference but it looks cool…upgraded DAC to Pontus II and immediate sound quality upgrade. Well worth it. You mileage may vary but that’s my journey…

daveinpa 

interesting that for you the $1000 Aires II was not much different than the DAC in a $500 NODE 

My experience of the Node N130 mirrors that of @daveinpa when combined with the Ares II. But very much a case of "ymmv", and very subjective.

I sold my Ares II and later upgraded the Node with a power supply upgrade kit and external PSU - which made a pleasantly surprising improvement. This can be done relatively inexpensively, especially the kit from PD Creative in Poland. Even if you bypass the Node's DAC, the PS upgrade still benefits.

I'm now using a direct sale, hand made DAC from a tiny 2 man operation in England - NJC Audio. A lovely neutral DAC with great clarity.

Good luck with your journey 👍