2. digital
  3. 169992-110869

Which DAC is better?

I am using a new  Bluesound Node 2 connected with the default RCA cables into my Parasound Hint 6.

This uses the Nodes DAC and not the Hint 6s DAC. If i understand correctly, I can connect the Node using an optical/usb cable into the Hint 6 thereby using the Hints DAC and not the Nodes.

Which is the better option? 

I am aware i can buy some cables and test this out for myself.
 I was just curious if anyone else had an opinion.
epz

Showing 2 responses by hshifi

hshifi
572 posts
 
Hello,
If you are running Tidal you want to make sure the DAC in the Hint6 is MQA ready. You will want it to unfold completely. The DAC in the Node 2i is very good. I have tested this. It is as good as a $700 DAC. You can run all three connections if you want. A couple dig cables off Amazon will run you $20. They will sound different and most people prefer a coax. There is a cable Nordost discontinued called the Silver Shadow. It was $540 but now it’s $270. It is awesome with the BlueSound Nodes. A lot of people do not realize how good the BlueSound Node is. You can also upgrade to a linear power supply. I know you are doubling the price of your streamer. If you did all of this you would have an awesome streamer with one of the best user interfaces. This dealer in the Chicagoland area sells everything except the power supply board replacement. https://holmaudio.com/
They also let you try before you buy if you want to hear the Nordost Silver Shadow or try out a NODE. They did have some Node 2i at a discount last I checked if you wanted to get into streaming. I hope this helped. When I was in the store last they had the PowerNODE hooked up to a KEF KC62 subwoofer. So cool because the BlueSound lets you crossover the sub in the app. 
hshifi
572 posts
 
Hello,
That is totally true about the room acoustics. When I did the tests I was doing near field listening to try to take the room out of it. Also, to give those DACs a chance I worked up to $1k worth of cables on the separate DACs and kept the BlueSound stock using a modest $100 stereo RCA cables. I have listened to the BlueSound Node 2i on several expensive DACs all the way up to $14k. It sounded awesome and they did not support MQA. The one that I thought sounded the best was the Ayre QX-8. It sounded the most real to me. This is still a $5k DAC but it kept up with and surpassed much more expensive DACs. I wonder if you upgrade to a linear power supply would it surpass a $700 DAC? Since the new NODE might have USB out I would rather upgrade to a NODE and the LPS in it since it would require a different power supply model. 
More to discover