If you are tech savvy and are searching purely for a music streamer and not a local file server, you can consider the Sonore OpticalRendu with a quality linear power supply. It will surpass many other “standalone” units that look a lot prettier for about half the price. Otherwise, as an Aurender dealer, I can attest that Aurender’s sound quality is worth the price of entry. You can find preowned entry level units that will likely fit your budget and sound excellent.
Upgrade from BS Node 2i?
Wanted to get some honest opinions - in the past, I owned a Gold Note streamer, and an STR pre amp...all of which sounded wonderful. But, music was really a tertiary usage of mine. Since then my system, and preferences have gone through big changes. I am now running Revel 228bes w/ dual Rythmik G25HPs. Anthem avm90 processor and ATI amp.
I am really enjoying 2 channel much more now, so thinking about a bump in sound quality. I run coax, so I'm using the dac of the AVM90. I know that w/ high quality streamers, there are other things (clocks, power supply, etc) that make a difference as well, not just the dac. So, where do I go? I was thinking a Lumin D2 but not sure. I don't want to spend a ton, as I still don't do music enough to justify spending $2-4K again (done that twice).
I know eventually the anthem will become a Roon endpoint so I was thinking about waiting for that as well. But...I also like streamers haha. I'm looking for something w/ a decent app too, as I don't really like BluOS.
Thanks for any input, I'm just starting my search so open to all sorts of ideas.