External DAC?

Are you wanting some improvement in the sound, or are you trying to maximize your system’s performance?  Do you have a set budget?  If you are trying to maximize your system, then please let us know what components you are using.  Generally, adding an external DAC of a value the same, or above the cost of your all in one streamer/DAC will improve the sound, but lots of great and and not so great gear at these price points.  You would most likely use the USB out.

I have used my Vault 2i with several DACs over the years.  Sounded great with each one,  plus the great thing about a DAC is it can decode all of your digital sources 

A DAC will have a lot to do with your overall sound,  make sure you demo at home e if possible no matter what your budget

External DAC will make an improvement, likely. It depends which Node you have (you didn't specify) and which DAC you get. Reason being that Bluesound has improved their DAC over the years, so which external DAC you get will matter vis a via beating the DAC in the Bluesound. I have not found connection method to matter nearly as much as which DAC is used.

Wow. Please continue. And THANK YOU!

I have a climate problem where I live and I have a small man cave, which is great for listening with a floating floor. Lots of sound absorption. And I have a Cary SL I 80 amp,heating my room in the winter time and currently I am using a NAD C 316BEE amp to my pleasure, to run very efficient Cornwall IV heritage speakers. I have a SVS micro 3000 sub which I don’t really need to use anymore, as the NAD has become a good pairing, (even better than a Marantz Model 15 that I have on the selling table, perfect shape but just too much power relating to 102 db Cornwalls)…and my Bluesound node is the latest version before the X came out.

so, I think I read that some EXTERNAL DACS, are good headphone jacks as well?

I have no knowledge that DACS are so worth the money, and a tech from Crutchfield asked me the question “Do you really think you can tell the difference?”… which has me stuck listening to all the “experts” on YouTube, further muddying my thinking… last I heard this latest Node I have, is pretty good. It stands in as my preamp, and I love its interaction with my eArc and Apple Airplay2 for TV.

I am listening… I appreciate your help. I know I have some nice components and just need suggestions.

Typically you will get a “wow, that sounds better’ every time you double the cost of the component (single function box like streamer, preamp, DAC, etc.) But you just can’t buy component, you must do your research and get the best of class and one that caters to your tastes (detailed vs musucal for instance). I have experienced this really great improvement since the average cost of my components were $200 to now fifty years later where the average cost of my components is $20K. Yes… it goes on forever.

Having said that, it is also a function of all your other components. Unless they are not resolving and problem free enough you are not going to hear much of a difference.

Looking at what you are running right now… maybe you will hear a difference maybe not. 
 

I have to ask. Do you not hear a big improvement with the Cary?

Thanks. The Cary was last played months ago… and you would think so right?

waiting for the Fall. 
 

I add this:

Yes, I have the latest addition to the Bluesound node, I guess third generation, prior to the most recent anniversary X addition. I know they have improved the inner DACS with each version but now I’m asking what would be some thing better in your opinion and one that is in the ballpark.

I have Cornwall Heritage IV speakers, and I am currently running a NAD C 316BEE amp( which pairs well with Klipsch 102 db) at 40 WPC. In the winter my Mancave is heated by a tube Cary SLI-80, UL /Triode 4/8 OHMS. 
either way, I love the ability of the Bluesound node to be my preamp and facilitating my Apple Airplay 2 and the eArc into the TV/CD. Mancave is treated, speakers and me complete a 6’ triangle.

I will always have DETAIL with Klipsch… so… maybe I want musical? No fatigue type?

Yes, DAC's matter and you can improve the sound to your liking with proper selection. Some will give you a wider more open soundstage, some will tame harsh recordings, some will sound different, but not necessarily better. I would search this site for DAC reviews and conversations to help narrow the field. And since you are considering more musicality and less fatigue, you may want to look at R2R DAC's like MHDT Orchid and Audio Mirror Tubadour as well as many more.  Pick a few based on user reviews, then buy used.

You are not loosing anything by using the Node as a streamer only, you are opening up new and possibly better sound. 

Good Luck!

Me thinks you zigged when you should have zagged. I had to look twice to make sure I wasn’t in the digital forum.

Better sound put a decent LPS to your router setup, a quality Ethernet hub with LPS like the SW8 or others to add a LPS power supply , good quality Ethernet cables ,as well as USB cable a big step up  in streaming sonics. 
I added a synergistic purple to these which also added to the fidelity.

bettering your Audio system , also cost  more $$ . Removing all weak links 

in the chain.

I've found that fitting a 12v DC board from PD Creative, so there's no AC in the Bluesound, is well worth the exercise.

A Topping D90SE Desktop USB DAC with a high quality USB cable makes a difference.

Moose99. You have two exact same threads going at the same, WTF

Thank you! At (70) years… needing help… sorry to offend vthokie83

I think you asked the same question twice, so I’ll defer to my answer in your other thread. Good luck! 

Sounds like you have the N130. I have the same. I added the LHY linear power supply ($300 including shipping) which make a big difference and then added a tube DAC. Sounds amazing. I use USB to take advantage of the DACs clock. COAX did not sound nearly as good. I use all Zavfino cables. I listen to digital a lot more now than I used to. A real bargain compared to my analogue source. Details in my virtual system.

@moose89 

I have the Node N130, the newest one before the X and I also have a Bifrost Dac and I also have a Denafrips Pontus ll dac that is far better than the BiFrost. I think depending on how much you want to spend, you can make that Node sound great!

Let us know what you decide to do.

All the best.

Thank y’all. I have a Rogue RP-1 and a Denefrips Ares ll coming. I also just bought the First Watt J2 to heat the Cornwall IV’s up, and my Mancave in the Winter. I’m wondering if I will leave my Cary SLI – 80 tube amp and replace it with this First Watt J2 in the winter time just for the heat but maybe for the sound?

is it going to be a good idea to use a hybrid preamp like this Rogue? In addition to the Cary SLI – 80 tube amplifier? What am I gaining?

@moose89

i think the fw j2 will allow you to hear differences in sound among dacs (ares vs node etc) than the cary, which will tend to homogenize the delta and promote it’s own sonic nature

regarding dac upgrades, over the longer term, i think you will hear a bigger step in sonic improvement if you went to a denafrips pontus or schiit gungnir mb or yggrasil (or a chord qutest or gustard r26)

@jjss49 

certainly I hope the Aries to  soften the highs without losing detail. I love soundstage and I have it now when I get this hybrid rogue pre-amp it won’t be my first ever. I was using a node as basically a PreAmp that I could switch, and it was very friendly, but now the node must go into the Rogue… interesting…

Now I’m not quite convinced that adding an exterior Denafrips to my Bluesound Node has paid quantitive improvements. Also I think the NAD C1366BEE amp far exceeds the First Watt J2 with my current Cornwall iv match up. However…. The Rogue RP-1 preamp is a nice edition. I’m going to give the Ares ll some additional listening time to decide whether it’s keepable.  I put the First Watt J2 back on the market here.