My Node 2i has become a rather expensive remote.

Remote? No savvy.

The post title is a statement and I can’t understand what it is and even how there is any question without a question mark.

I think that you’re trying to improve your SQ up from Apple for under $1K.

I certainly would not know because of I’m totally unfamliar with your current level.

If you say that it’s better than BlueSound it might be as good as $100 worth if Raspberry Pi. No telling about your ears and system deployment.

I equating the Node to an expensive remote because I only use it when I'm too lazy to get up and change the music on the iPad since  it is tethered to the DAC via USB cable, sacrificing quality for convenience.

I guess more simply put, I'm looking for better Implimentation of USB to Gustard  than a camera adaptor that will allow me to select music from my seated position and provide better sound quality. I also mentioned i2s because have read that is the preferred way by many to connect streamer to DAC.

hope that helps clarify

I get it. It's NOT a remote. It functions with remote access.

A Raspberry Pi into a Matrix 2 (to i2s) is likely better. Or for more plug n play, an iFi Zen into a Matrix 2.  $840 today. Probably more tomorrow.

@fuzztone yup, you got it. Sorry for the poor explanation. I'll look into the iFi Zen into matrix 2.

@carlsbad  thx. I ruled out room before. But probably should reconsider.

Thanks for sharing such great information, the post you published have some great information which is quite beneficial for me.

Mrpsync, I also suggest the Ifi Zen Stream.  There is a 20 minute video on Youtube from Audio Excellence (dealer in Toronto) comparing the Node vs Zen in which they basically say the Zen is *alot* better in sound quality.  And they are not the only ones praising it.  Some people with very high end systems are using it.  Good luck.

@poseidon1500 ​​​​ and @fuzztone 

thank you for your input and recommendation. I looked a little deeper into the “stream” and placed on order and I’ll report back. If I’m really happy with it I may try the Matrix 2 for i2s and see if I can squeeze out even more SQ.

thanks again

Mrpsync, how did it work out for you?

@poseidon1500 

Unfortunately it didn’t work out for me. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not tech savvy, but I couldn’t get mine to work properly. After several attempts and reboots I was able to get BT and Airplay to work( tidal only, never got anything from Qobuz).  I was never able to get hi res playback from either wifi or Ethernet. 
 

I did attempt to go through they’re customer service. However the process through creating a “ticket” and waiting for response was insufficient. After about 7 days of pure frustration I gave up and returned the unit. I decided that either the unit was buggy or the product/ company was  not “plug and play” enough to suit my needs. I’m in no hurry so I’ll wait for different plug and play product or until IFi is more consumer user freindly. 

There was a silver lining though. In preparing for the iFi I bought several Cat cables ( 5, 6, 7, and 8’s of different brands) to test. Since the IFi didn’t work out I tried it with the node. I was skeptical there would any difference, and there wasn’t ( to my ears) until I tried the linkup cat 8 which someone recommended on different thread. It definitely sounded not only different, but better. Quieter background and better separation while also being less edgy in the highs. In fact it sounded better then the usb camera adaptor. So a win for $30 😎 Not only that, but now my video streaming is also better! So I tested my upload and down load speeds and they nearly doubled and my latency is down to.

Mrpsync, 

Sorry to hear that it didn't work out.  But at least something positive came out of it!  I hadn't tried the Ifi myself, I just went off from what other people said.  And i'm glad that you were able to return it!  Hopefully you find something that works for you in the future.  

@poseidon1500 

thanks, but don’t feel sorry for me ;) I’m listening to Laura Marling on my system right now and she sounds amazing! 
 

while I would love even better SQ, I learned long ago to be happy with what I got. It pretty damn good😎

happy listening