@calieng Did you try the Node via a good ladder DAC like the Denafrips? Not sure if you said that in your post.
I have a Node and have compared it via (a) it's own dac, (b) an older Peachtree dac, (c) an MHDT Orchid Dac and (d) an Orchid dac with an improved Tesla tube. In every change, the streamer got better and better.
I'm at the beginning of my audio journey, so the the prospect of spending $2k+ on a streamer was not a wise budget priority, not least because of the difference a Dac can make and other ways to spend the money. Streaming technology is changing rapidly (e.g. MQA) and I did not want to find myself with a $2k streamer which would become outdated too quickly.
I have a Node and have compared it via (a) it's own dac, (b) an older Peachtree dac, (c) an MHDT Orchid Dac and (d) an Orchid dac with an improved Tesla tube. In every change, the streamer got better and better.
I'm at the beginning of my audio journey, so the the prospect of spending $2k+ on a streamer was not a wise budget priority, not least because of the difference a Dac can make and other ways to spend the money. Streaming technology is changing rapidly (e.g. MQA) and I did not want to find myself with a $2k streamer which would become outdated too quickly.