PD-Creative

I ordered the Creative board and budget power supply combo and it took just a few days to arrive. I Installed it last night and gave it a listen for a good hour today running through an MHDT Orchid.  Even in a doubtful, hyper critical frame of mind I found it sweeter on top, tighter on the bottom, much better focus, clarity and inner detail, especially strings and choral. It really won me over.  Smooth. Punchy.  I could feel my ears relax and the sound open up.  For $126 delivered it’s a bargain.  

O.K.  Here I am with a new (2021) Bluesound Node in the mix.  Never mind that it took almost two hours for it to play ball and be recognized by the Bluesound app.  It did and I’m happy as Hell.  So pardon me if I’m partying at the moment.  I live in one of those green states.  Anyway, I’ve obviously got the experience of the 2i and the 2i upgraded.  On to the new Node.  I was curious as to how the old 2i  stacked up.  Threw on my favorite Spotify play list (blues).  The Node was grating.  Less glare than the stock 2i but that’s where the fun ended.  It was very etched and unconvincing. And little body.   Somewhat easier to follow in the vocals but no inner detail at all.  The stock 2i kicks its rear musically.  So there you have it.  I’ve got the Creative upgrade on the way as we speak.  Whatever.  

I should have clarified that the MHDT Orchid is an external DAC. My experience with the internal DAC vs the Orchid (unmodified Node2i) is that with Spotify or Tunein the difference is slight. Just a little less glare. With the Creative board installed I found the sound night and day better with the external Orchid. I don’t know if the internal DAC is as improved but I suspect not and that the upgrade is allowing the Orchid to shine.

ericsch,
I have the Wireworld power cord and the Creative upgrade took me by surprise. Just wow. Also, their budget power supply takes the same c7 plug as the Node2i.
https://www.amazon.com/WIREWORLD-Mini-Electra-Power-Conditioning-Meters/dp/B07BR8Z5H8

Jw944ts,
sorry I seem to be taking over your thread.  But, more news.  I’m listening to the new Node with the Creative board mod and their budget power supply.  Fantastic.  Cleaner, clearer, tighter, more detail and focus than the modded 2i.  Impressive at low volume.  I can hear everything and no shout.  Louder gets me a bigger and bolder presentation while the clean and clear stays.  Nice.  

More upgrades.
Streaming the NODE with the Sbooster LPS and Orchid DAC puts Spotify comfortably in audiophile territory. I thought that not possible. By comparison, the Node 2i and new NODE in stock configurations with the Orchid DAC are hifi-ish at best. The PD Creative upgrade with SMPS swings them toward the hifi high end. A quality power supply like the Sbooster tips the scales. I find real satisfaction in the quality, substance and engagement.
I got the Bluesound RC-1 remote on a whim and glad I did. On Spotify it can pause, skip, mute and control volume. That’s really nice because the RC-1 volume adjust is much finer than on the pre. I set the volume on the pre to limit the max output. It safeguards visitors (and maybe party me) from over doing the volume. The push of a preset button sends me from Spotify to a Tunein Radio station. Returning to Spotify still requires the Bluos app.

rareace,
That’s a good question.  In the unmodified form I prefer the more musical sound of the 2i.  It has (subjectively) more body.  With modification and smps on each I much prefer the NODE and would definitely move up in that scenario.  The NODE sounds more refined, it’s balanced top to bottom and the added resolution and focus are obvious, no looking back.  So, yes, I would upgrade from the 2i.  The Sbooster took it to a new level.  Caveat one is there’s more energy on the top and bottom. Less glare, less boom, just more.  I took the sub down a couple of ticks and put a mellower tube in the DAC for the highs.  Perfect.  Caveat two is the noise floor dropped so low that I catch myself cranking the volume without realizing it. 

ericsch,
No. Both units were on smps.   I upgraded the NODE supply to Sbooster, replacing the smps.