May I suggest a different approach. Ignore the comment that you need to pay well above $1000 There are old top of the line DACs available that will outperform a lot of expensive modern DACs.
I own an old Wadia 15, which plays redbook only and plays in a way that leaves me no desire to bother with hi-res. I have compared this unit to many others and with what I have heard it's still a contender. The Wadia heft is famous and is a polar opposite to the modern headache inducing detail monsters that are being produced in ever increasing numbers.
Hooking this up to your Node will be an improvement for sure but would also stand you in good stead should you upgrade to separate streamer. Do not be concerned that it can't decode MQA which has recently been called a scam here on the Gon!
They seldom come up for sale, I see one on hifishark now for $1500. It is built like a tank and weighs about 15Kg. Will probably outlive you :)
There are others to consider, like Theta Gen V, Mark Levinson, Manley etc.
I own an old Wadia 15, which plays redbook only and plays in a way that leaves me no desire to bother with hi-res. I have compared this unit to many others and with what I have heard it's still a contender. The Wadia heft is famous and is a polar opposite to the modern headache inducing detail monsters that are being produced in ever increasing numbers.
Hooking this up to your Node will be an improvement for sure but would also stand you in good stead should you upgrade to separate streamer. Do not be concerned that it can't decode MQA which has recently been called a scam here on the Gon!
They seldom come up for sale, I see one on hifishark now for $1500. It is built like a tank and weighs about 15Kg. Will probably outlive you :)
There are others to consider, like Theta Gen V, Mark Levinson, Manley etc.