I used the Node 2i DAC with my all analog McIntosh C45 pre-amp and Audioquest Wind interconnects and thoroughly enjoyed the results. I've read the Node 2i DAC is a Burr-Brown, but not verified.
When I replaced the C45 with a C49 I used the pre-amps coaxial connection (with one of the Wind interconnects) and I hear better sound from the 2i. There was enough of a quality difference that I have not gone back. I used the other Wind cable to connect my MCD 201 SACD/CD player to the other coaxial input. Again, there was better sound quality. Another benefit of using the C49 is seeing the digital playback numbers on the C49. I still have Wind XLR cables to play SACD on the 201. I use Qobuz for high-rez streaming on the 2i. Another question this setup has answered (for me) is, "yes, you can use a short (.5 meter) RCA as a digital interconnect and not hear EMI/RFI".
When I replaced the C45 with a C49 I used the pre-amps coaxial connection (with one of the Wind interconnects) and I hear better sound from the 2i. There was enough of a quality difference that I have not gone back. I used the other Wind cable to connect my MCD 201 SACD/CD player to the other coaxial input. Again, there was better sound quality. Another benefit of using the C49 is seeing the digital playback numbers on the C49. I still have Wind XLR cables to play SACD on the 201. I use Qobuz for high-rez streaming on the 2i. Another question this setup has answered (for me) is, "yes, you can use a short (.5 meter) RCA as a digital interconnect and not hear EMI/RFI".