I want to get a streaming system put together and was considering the Lumin U1 mini and connect it to a topping D70 DAC. But then I wondered if going from a $2K streamer into a $500 DAC was the right combo, and maybe not the reverse - a $500 streamer and $2K DAC. Not sure what combo would yield the best results while staying at or under $2500. Any combo suggestions? I don't need a CD ripper as I already have all my music ripped onto an SSD.
Moving up from a Node 2i
I want to keep it between 1K and 1500.00, closer to a grand if at all possible. I don't care about onboard DACs, since I have a keen liking for mine. What is out there for a streamer, new or used, that will sound better than the Node when outputting to an external DAC? I like the functionality of the Node, don't want something with a sketchy user interface. But honestly, I think my old Allo Digione (Raspberry Pi) might have sounded a little more organic and fleshed out than the Node.
What say ye, Audiogon?
Oz
What say ye, Audiogon?
Oz