Best EXTERNAL DAC suggestions

answered in your other thread, but +1 on Black Ice @soix however the stock tubes were just OK - I put NOS Mullard's in almost immediately - they are not cheap but even so still a bargain for how good the sound is. 

@audphile1 

i got your drift. And I bought the Rogue RP-1. I took all these wonderful opinions and suggestions in. The reasons for the reasoning. It just makes sense to firstly allow my Bluesound Node3 to run through a hybrid tube preamp. I may even now go back to my Marantz Model 15, at 60 (old school) WPC for fun, after giving my NAD C 316BEE v2 a listen at (40) WPC. 

 I have to see/hear if an EXTERNAL DAC will now be order?

And come tube amp use in the Fall, ( my Mancave is 75 degrees + now in TN with the TCL 55” TV on)as the weather goes chilly, the Cary SLI-80 tube amp comes out to provide warmth… (hopefully this new Rogue RP-1 half-tube preamp runs coolish?) Anyone know? But I wonder how the Cary tube amp will sound with the Rogue RP – 1?

Nice!!! Yes I think this is the best move to upgrade the sound quality. The DAC in the node is not terrible at all. Yes you can do better but not with $1000  

As to RP-1, it doesn’t run hot. There’s a little “window” above the two 12AU7 tubes. One note on tubes - the stock JJs are quiet and reliable but you can do better with Gold Lion (not expensive, good improvement). Listen to it with stock JJs to get used to it first though. One other thing I really liked about RP1 when I had it was the built in phono stage. Surprisingly good!

Yes. Thank you ALL! 
I bought Rogue used with EH tubes, $900 delivered!

Congrats! Keep us posted!