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Replacement/upgrade for Bluesound and Chord Mojo 2 streamer/external DAC combo

Greetings, I am looking for an alternative to my streamer/DAC combination.  Currently using Bluesound NODE N130 only as a source (Spotify/Tidal/local music library) feeding my Chord Mojo 2. Mojo 2 is designed to be a headphone DAC/Amp, but it has better use as an external DAC feeding my integrated amplifier for home audio use, better sound than running it direcly via the Bluesound.  The USB port in the Bluesound connects my music library stored in an SSD, so USB connection to Mojo 2 (supposedly give better signal) is no longer an option.   

Looking on how to improve my setup:
- Upgrade kit and linear PSU for the bluesound.  Many reviews commented on the quality upgrade in Bluesound from the kit, but wonder if anyone has any experience with the upgrade kit (from PD creative or other brands) improvement on Bluesound when running through external DAC? Will it be a noticeable or marginal difference, since i am already using Mojo 2?

- Replace the Mojo 2 with other dedicated external DAC

- Replace the Bluesound and Mojo 2 all together and find a better streamer/DAC alternative? Cambridge CXNv2 came across to my mind, 

My current setting:
- Accuphase E-380 integrated amplifier and Nordost Blue Heaven power cord
- Dynaudio Evoke 10 and Nordost Red Dawn speaker cable
- Bluesound NODE N130, a Taiwanese made RCA to mini coax cable and an aftermarket power cable (not clear what brand, but thick enough cable for the Bluesound)
- Chord Mojo 2 and Nordost Blue Heaven iKable 3.5mm to RCA cable

Not looking to spend much $$$ for the streamer/DAC alternative and not planning to replace my other components, as i am content enough with the rest.  Any comment/feedback is appreciated.
 

nothelle

Showing 2 responses by dogearedaudio

dogearedaudio's avatar
dogearedaudio
182 posts
 

Keep the Node for now and get a second-hand Qutest.  Upgrade the streamer later.  I borrowed a friend's Mojo and liked it enough that I found a used Qutest, which I absolutely love.  It replaced a massive Doge DAC 7, with a Sabre chip and all-tube output stage.  I love the Qutest for it's greater transparancy, speed and lack of coloration, and the desktop connections provide a big upgrade in sound.

My streamer is an Ian Canada kit I assembled, with the PurePi battery-powered base, a Raspberry Pi 4 and the TransportPi Digi II.  It's a wonderful match for the Qutest, extremely clean and quiet.  The cost is about $300.  But that may be more than you're willing to take on.  It's also a either "ugly" or "cool" depending on your tastes. ;-)  But my main point is to focus on one unit at a time and get the best upgrade you can afford.  A used Qutest falls within your budget and if you like your Mojo, you'll love the Qutest.

dogearedaudio's avatar
dogearedaudio
182 posts
 

@nothelle

Unless you need a headphone amp, I'd go with the Quetest, you save a lot of money, and you can use better cables for connection to the streamer instead of being limited by the Hugo's miniature input jacks.  Once the Qutest arrived I splurged on a used Snake River Boomslang BNC cable and it makes a big difference.  Of course, with the Hugo you can get the 2Go, which is probably the ideal solution for streaming with that DAC, but $$$.  The battery supply on the Hugo is also a plus for reducing noise, but you also need to eventually replace that battery, which is expensive.  For me the Qutest offered the best connections and the least future maintainance, and it's said that it's comparable to the Hugo in terms of sound.

 

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