I have a Bluesound Node 2i and purchased a ProJect S2 DAC and added it to my system and found I liked the Bluesound played better by itself. I stream Tidal and when I connected the DAC to my Bluesound using Audioquest Carbon digital coax, it does not allow MQA to unfold completely. There is something about MQA that is difficult to explain, but for some reason I hear something different when I listen to MQA, I ended up selling the ProJect DAC and the digital coax cable on Audiogon for half the price I paid for it.
Comparison of latest DAC chips
I own a Bluesound Node 2i which greatly improved sound after I added the Cat 6 cable. I do not own a separate DAC but am told it would be the next step improvement. I have done enough reading that it appears the two latest chips are the Sabre or ESS
ES9038PRO
and the AK4499. The brands I have looked at are Sabaj d5($469) and a Topping D90($699). I saw a great review on Audiocircle of the Sabaj D5 which is now a year old. The Topping D90 is newer and I hear the build quality of the Topping as well as customer service are both better. Other brands cost more and most don't use these new chips.
Is there a difference in how these chips sound? I would appreciate any comments.
Is there a difference in how these chips sound? I would appreciate any comments.