Is it worth it? DAC question

@facten 

+1

My experience is the DAC in the Blue Sound Node is shite. Now it has been years since I have used one, it was night and day when I went to a Simaudio 230HAD and then 10 times better with the Simaudio MiND 2 Network Player.

iFi makes some very nice products. Give it a shot. 

You’re likely to get a meaningful upgrade with the iFi, but you’ll likely need a decent SPDIF digital cable to run from the Node to the DAC to be able to realize the advantages. If you can spring for something like this Acoustic Zen MC2 cable I think you’d be in for a real treat.

 https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650034624-acoustic-zen-mc2-rca-coax-cable-1m/

Best of luck. 

Thanks for the responses so far--I had to order a 5v adapter so hopefully it'll be here in a couple of days. Will keep you posted.

I also recommend strongly considering the Teddy Pardo external linear power supply for the Node. The DAC on the Node is mediocre. The Node’s streamer is very good. It sound great with my MHDT Orchid DAC with both the digital coax (Node -> MHDT Orchid DAC with output tube stage) and RCA to balanced XLR (DAC -> BAT VK-6i tube preamp) interconnects from Silnote Audio. They only sell direct, based in Roanoke, VA. Their line of cables are all top quality, great sounding - clean, tight, dynamic with no hard sonic edges - and affordably priced. They also have great customer service.