Digital front end upgrade options


Hey everyone,

want to get some opinions and advice as to what may be the best upgrade path for my system.

my digital front end is currently lacking quite a bit. It’s my primary playback out of pure convenience. I currently stream tidal and qobuz through a MacBook Pro into a dragonfly cobalt. I would like to invest into a dedicated streamer. I have been looking at two units that are in different leagues. The first option would be the bluesound node 2i (more budget option) and the second would be a lumin u2 mini. So with that being said if I went with the cheaper option of the bluesound node 2i would I see any real sonic improvements over my current setup? Or would I be better suited to just pony up for the more expensive lumin u2 mini? And if I went with the u2 mini would the sonic improvements be significant over my dragonfly cobalt? I would like to think either option would be a significant upgrade but unfortunately I don’t have the option to test gear to find out for myself. Hoping to get a little insight here. Thank you all!

james1911

Go with Lumin and you will never look back.  I started with the D2 then upgraded to the T2.  Very happy with both purchases.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

OP

 

  you will definitely note an improvement with either streamer that you are considering, primarily because the DAC in either will be a huge upgrade.  So you could just buy a DAC and keep using the computer as a source.  I think that you may be happiest with a dedicated streamer-DAC combination, as ease of use seems to be important, but if you like using the computer from a purely sonic perspective the biggest need that you have is for a decent DAC

@james1911 

I bought an open box Node N130 and over time I upgraded the power supply and the DAC. I’m still very happy with the sound.

All the best.

I would take the big step up.  I always felt if you take the smaller step up, you will second-guess yourself at some point and then take another step up.