Need recommendations for a streamer

I have the Bluesound Node 2i.  I  put a new power supply in it for $130. I have richer fuller bass and an open airier sound.  This board also has reliability improvements.  Also added an aftermarket power cord.  Anything you can do to lower the noise floor is desirable. 

The power supply is made by Pd Creative.  Teddy Pardo makes them as well but the part costs as much as the Bluesound. 

Thank you, all, for the great suggestions, helpful responses, and clarification of my apparent misuse of the term "balanced". To those illuminati who were confused and/or offended by my error, I offer my most sincere apology.

Streaming is quite new to me. I have been away from the hobby for almost 30 years (the Thiels are proof, purchased new by me back in the late 90s), and I have found the learning curve to be steep for my analog mind. I will do my best to choose my terms much more carefully in the future. Lesson learned.

For the best result, it sounds like I need to figure out a way to hardwire (I think that's the correct term) the streamer to my modem.

@daledeee1 I did the same thing, and the Teddy Pardo seemed unnecessarily expensive.

@jjss49 

different streamers sound different because they manage noise, clocking, power supply, and physical isolation differently - the sonic difference can be quite noticeable to quite subtle to insignificant... depending on the network, cabling, and of course the quality of system downstream to resolve those differences

As usual, this is right on the money. Too often, people either fire off a quick answer like -- "It's just 1's and 0's" or "It will be better because it's more expensive, good reviews, etc."

The questions folks on forums have to ask themselves when considering new equipment is: 

(a) Is my system good enough and not-bottlenecked-elsewhere such that this upgrade will be noticeable (e.g., Can I avoid confirmation bias?)?

and 

(b) Will I be able to do a trial basis with the new unit and do an A/B comparison to test things out?

If one is unwilling to answer those questions, then one would be more honest with oneself if they just admitted they just want to buy the new unit for the fun or looks or bragging rights, etc. Because without the above control factors, sound improvement is not being earnestly interrogated.

“For the best result, it sounds like I need to figure out a way to hardwire (I think that’s the correct term) the streamer to my modem.”

@cowhorn

That’s correct. Especially if you’re going to drop $$$$ on a high end streamer like Aries G2. Don’t get discouraged, it’s doable with a mesh network extenders. Just go to Amazon and search for 2-Pack which includes 1 Router (hardwired to your modem) & 1 Satellite (hardwired to your streamer).

This would be a first step to high quality streaming. Even your Node will improve with wired network. 

@richtruss glad to see you post here. I am a happy owner of a Network Acoustics Rubicon switch, a Network Acoustics Muon cable and Muon filter. I had a very nice setup with great sound and ordered the Network Acoustics trio fully expecting to send it all back within the trial period, but I was committed to being open minded and give it a try.

Let me just say that many of us don’t realize what we are hearing and what it sounds like when we are NOT hearing noise. I’m an unapologetic fan of the Network Acoustics product line, I kept all three and appreciate that a manufacturer made the thankless and risky move to hop into the mosh pit that Audiogon forums can sometimes be.