DAC/Pre-Amp Advice

$2-3k budget? Definitely look for a DAC as the one in any Bluesound device is ok at best, better as a streamer only. If you don’t upgrade to a LPS then definitely or regardless get a better C7 power cord and run ethernet not wireless. I’d look at spending $1k on the DAC and get a nice SPDIF cable that is at least 1M long, longer is better yet. Forget DSP for two channel and work on your room and speaker placement. With $2k left I wouldn’t entertain two lower priced subs, as they will not have the speed likely of one quality sub unless you want boomy bass, then why worry with room correction? Stick with one sub for now and look at REL as it will be the easiest for hookup going with their high level input. Later you can always add another sub if you feel you need it. Plenty of nice DAC’s for $1k that will outperform the Node easily, and REL has subs under 2K. JL Audio is another line of subs to look into. You get what you pay for.

I (and several others on these threads) have ordered the recently released LHY power supply and LPS upgrade for the Node 130; the cost is $280 for both at Beatecknik. I have not received mine yet, and even when I do it will be a while until I have the time to get them installed and do any comparison......at least a month. The link to order is here

OP, until you get the room as close to "right" as possible (see the graph I posted) money on electronics is like putting lipstick on a pig as they say. You gotta measure AND listen, not one or the other. Get the room right first. That includes speaker positioning, room treatment, and DSP.

I think the NAD C-658 checks the boxes on a DAC upgrade to the Node and adding DIRAC to the mix.

@soix I can easily bring them out from the wall a bit more, but getting them closer is going to be difficult because my TV console is what is separating them. I'll see what I can do when I get home from work.

@daledeee1 

Currently running WIFI, which I'm gathering is a big no no based on a couple of the other comments. I have a router not too far away, so a wired connection shouldn't be difficult.

@ronboco & ​​@vthokie83 

This is a completely new thing to me. What benefits would a linear power supply provide? Just clean up noise?

@adg101 

Your advice is noted. While I have been a fan of REL in the past, and sold many of them, my AMP sadly doesn't support the high level input feature on their subs. This is why I had settled on SVS, mostly because of the solid app support to help tweaking the sub to be a bit easier. I'll look into JL Audio, as I haven't had the pleasure of listening to their stuff yet.

@kota1 

I think you are right on the C-658, it is definitely going to be and upgrade from the Node, but I think it will most likely be my fall back option. I'm interested in doing a bit more research before throwing in the towel.

Thank you all so much for the responses. You all are really opening my eyes to so many different things I don't know if I could have gleaned by watching videos and sifting through forums myself.

@chuck_tamu 

Its a little hard to pin it down. I believe it did clean up the noise.  The music was clearer with more detail and a blacker background. I was pleasantly surprised at the result myself.