I owned the original Node 2i, using it ONLY as a streamer into my PSAudio DSD DAC. I upgraded to the new Node Gen 3, modded with an external LPS. New Node was incrementally cleaner, clearer than original. I then moved to the iFi Zen Stream with an iPower external SMPS. Noticeably better audio here than Node. Lower noise floor, tighter bass and more midrange clarity. To me anyway, hard to beat for anything in the $1000 price range.
If you’ve heard an iFi Zen stream, anything better under $1k?
What is the best streamer under $1k? Used included.
I had an iFi Zen stream when they first came out and I put it up against a node 2i and a pi4 and it sounded the best by far using the same external DAC for each. The issue was that it was as buggy as can be but I’ve heard they are a bit better now.
it’s a steal at $400 even if you spend another $100-$200 on a better power supply but has anyone heard better?