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

+1 upgrade Node power supply, R2R DAC (Denafrips Ares), add IRIS DDC for best results.  Mojo vs R2R different sound signature, Chords are detailed and transparent with punch. Denafrips and R2Rs generally are more laid back, smoother, with good detail and expansive sound stage.

i have Node 2i w LPS and Topping D90 in bedroom linked to a low watt Inspire KT-88 driving Vienna Acoustics Bach speakers. Sounds really good. Also a Cambridge Audio CXN V2 linked to a Cary 300 SEI driving Klipsch Heresys in another room, also sounds really good. Warm, relaxed easy to listen to.  Finally a Pontus II + IRIS linked to a Willsenton R800i 845 driving Klipsch Forte IIIs and Focal Aria 926 in main system.  Sounds freaking amazing!! 

Look for IRIS + Ares used and upgrade Node 2i power supply would be my suggestion.
 

I haven’t heard your DAC.  I did have the Node functions both as a streamer and a streamer DAC.  I now use CA CXN 100 and found it to be a significant upgrade.  They just changed their DAC to an ESS Sabre; I have 2 of the older units which essentially use the old DAC Magic.  Used are going for $900, new $1100

I have a  Node2i feeding a PS Audio Directstream DAC Mk1 moded by APS Transformers.  I've thought about upgrading to a more expensive streamer,  but none support the two services that I stream,  Idagio and Amazon HD.  So I decided to upgrade the Node2i with a TeddyPardo LPS; the improvement in SQ was significant! More detail,  wider and deeper soundstage, lower noise level.  One of the most important things to consider in a streamer,  IMHO,  is the OS.  If it doesn't support the streaming services that you want,  it won't work for you.  The rest of my system is PS Audio Stellar Gold Preamp,  M700 monoblocks,  and Legacy Audio Signature SE speakers.  I listen mostly to classical,  blues,  and classic rock. 

"Mojo 2 is around US$600 together, so ideally would like to spend that much or up to US$1,000"

I do not think your going to beat the Mojo for your budget just make a differance/ side step. 

Maybe a powersupply for the Mojo, but IMO Chord makes an excelent DAC andnd you're going to have to spend more then a grand to beat it not just side step/different. I'd save up a bit and/or look at moving up the Chord line. 

Keep the Blue Sound Node for now until your ready to upgrade. I find after many streamers the DAC is the more important item to focus on at these levels. Chord has good digital filtering so makes the streamer less relivent at these levels. 

Thanks everyone for the input.

@soix unfortunately musician and denafrips is out of my budget for now, but will consider it for next upgrade.  

@glennewdick yes i agree, Mojo does sound nice and i am quite content with it. But hopefully something can be done to enhance it further with minimal costs and unfortunately it’s quite hard to have a live demo with the exact same amp/speaker/cable combo.  It took me quite a while to come to the accuphase/dynaudio combo and actually listened to them live together.
 

Seems the consensus for the most economical solution for now is the bluesound upgrade.  I am eyeing on LHY audio, price is quite lower than pd creative and teddypardo and shipping is nearer, no need to ship it halfway around the world.  Wonder anyone has opinion on this LHY audio? Also i’ve read there are two options for the 5V LPS, a 25watt and 50watt, the later seems to be recommended for external ssd use with bluesound, which is what i intend to do, but is it just gimmick or will the 25watt suffice?

Cheers,