any suggestions on what to replace Bluesound Node 2i with


I am doing a major upgrade on my home theater system. I want to upgrade my streamer. I can spend around $4500 if I have to. My dealer played a Lumin T2 and the music, Tidal, sounded amazing. He said I would be okay with the D2 if I wanted to save money
Any one have any experience with the the Lumin's. I am open to other streamers, it does not have to be Lumin. Thanks 
galleybob

Showing 17 responses by galleybob

Thanks for the responses. I have the option of streaming from the Node 2i connected to Anthem 1120 with optical. I also stream to my 1120 with Control4 if you are familiar with that which is a hdmi connection.  I also stream Apple Music sometimes from my Apple TV which is connected with HDMI 
I am not familiar with the streamers mentioned but I will look them up
The title said I am replacing the Bluesound so I am looking for a replacement, not a DAC. I will use to stream Qobuz
My dealer suggests either Lumin T2 or Lumin D2
I can spend the money on the Lumin T2 but I was looking for other options before buying. I already gotten a lot of good suggestions to check out 
@jjss49 Yes, as my post stated I am looking for a replacement. I find myself listening to Qobuz more through my Control4 Hdmi set up with my Anthem 1120 than using the Bluesound which is connected optically to my Anthem. I did hear the Lumin and was pretty amazed, I just don't want to spend a lot of money without checking other options
I find Bluesound to be not as good as Control4 streaming to my Anthem. I am also thinking that Apple Lossless even though it is 12/44 is sounding better than Bluesound
Bluesound Node 2i is optical. I have tried it with RCA, and Coaxial. My best results by far have been optical. I find that HDMI has been better so that's why I am not using Bluesound. To be fair when I tested coaxial I used a $30 cable, I'm sure I would have had better results with a higher quality coaxial. The optical cable is the one that came with the Bluesound
I am doing a major upgrade on system so I am looking for a major upgrade to streaming. I stream Qobuz but now I also stream Apple Lossless
@cissado I appreciate your comment. I will be using ARC not sure how that will affect the T2. I will look into it. Thanks
OP here. After reading the various comments and hearing the T2 I will probably replace my Bluesound with the Lumin T2. Might as well spend the money once and know I have an excellent streamer. I know from the comments that there are cheaper and maybe better solutions. I think for what I want to T2 is probably my best option
OP here. I am not just looking to replace my streamer. I am doing a major upgrade of my home theater system with a second subwoofer and a separate 3 channel amp to run LCR speakers. I am also replacing my ceiling speakers with much better ones. I am also replacing speaker wire and cables with much better wire. Adding a streamer is part of a comprehensive upgrade. 
Realistically how much of an improvement will a high end streamer make over a Bluesound Node 2i? 
I realized last night that listening to Qobuz with my Node2i was not that much better than listening to Apple Lossless through my Apple TV music app. 
If I buy the Lumin T2 it will cost about 10X what the Bluesound costs. Should I expect a huge improvement in the music for $4500 or will it be more subtle with somewhat better detail, separation of instruments a better soundstage? I am hoping that before I spend the money replacing the Bluesound I will be able to compare the Lumin to the Bluesound on my upgraded system. 
@Mahler123 I should do an A/B test of Apple Music 24/44 vs  Bluesound Node 2i while listening to Qobuz 24/192 with my teenage daughter. It could be a hearing issue but I doubt it. My system now is outstanding, it will be even better when I do the upgrades on my equipment
@coltrane1 Not sure if you stream but there is nothing like having unlimited access to music at my fingertips with my iPad as the controller. Just can't beat being able to choose not just any album but play any song in any order

@deer_creek_audio My dealer suggested this but I said I was not interested 

Ashly 3.6SP

Protea DSP Loudspeaker System Processor 

Is something like this what you are talking about? thanks

@earlflynn I don't use the DAC in my Bluesound, I use the DAC in my Anthem 1120. It is better than the Bluesound but I knowI can do better
@big_greg Yes it is for my home theater system which I am upgrading. Yes I run my Node 2i through my Anthem 1120 with the optical cable that the Node 2i provides 
I went to my dealer's showroom to check out the Lumin T2 again and I am sold on it. Pricey but I think it will be worth the money