Will adding an external DAC to my setup improve SQ significantly?

Have you tried using the digital out of the Node 2i to the Peachtree to see what it sounds like using the DAC in the Nova 125? I don't know if it will be better or worse than the DAC in the Bluesound, but it may be a sound you prefer.

I have a Bluesound Node 2i in my main rig and have used it with both a Bryston BDA-1 and more recently with a Chord Qutest.  So for me personally the answer would be a most definite yes.  Depth of sound stage, ability to see into the music, and hear things you otherwise would not are all present with a good outboard DAC.   But a warning, higher quality DACs such as the Bryston and the Chord tend to be more incisive and revealing, and with some recordings, especially poorer recordings, may be less forgiving than the Bluesound's own inboard DAC.  It all depends upon what you are looking for.   You could probably find something along the lines of the Bryston BDA-1 for around $700 used (it's a 10 year old design but was a $2000 piece in its time).  The Chord Qutest is a current model, and with a little looking could probably land a new one for around $1600.  I can recommend both of them highly at those respective price points. 

Dear gadios7, everest_audio, and jazzman7,

First of all, thanks very much for your useful insights.

gadios7: I am keen on learning the results of the DAC shootout. A good number of the units included are somewhere in my wish list...

everest_audio: I currently use the Coaxial out from the Node 2i going to the Peachtree Audio's coaxial 1. As of now, I use our WIFI to connect the Node 2i to our home network, would changing to an Ethernet hookup improve SQ?


Jazzman7: I am really impressed with what I read on the various forums, etc. about the Chord Qutest, and of course, Bryston is a very well regarded brand all around. Will the results be available for Audiogon members?


Have any of you had a chance test/hear some of the more affordable Chinese brand DACs. I've read good things about DENAFRIPS, SMSL, TOPPING, etc.
The specs of the units I have considered are quite high, but I do understand that this does not mean that all components used are of a high enough caliber to bring the most out of the units (hence the very competitive prices?). Curious to see what you guys think about these brands.


At this point, it appears to me that a worthwhile improvement in my setup's SQ is not really available unless I upgrade to a way above average DAC...

Mind you, I am currently satisfied with the SQ I obtain, but I have noticed that my redbook CD's going through the OPPO player + Peachtree sound somewhat more refined and detailed than the music I stream from SPOTIFY, etc.


Hence my original post. Certainly, I also want to learn about the various possibilities out there.


Voilà, thanks again, I am in no real hurry, just curious and taken by this most wonderful of hobbies: Music listening/enjoyment!!!

Regards to all,jlr261

As mentioned, you already have 3 DACs.  I have the Bluesound Node2, and Oppo 105 and 203s, which I will presume have better DACs than the 93.  I have never heard the Peachtree.
  The Node2 DAC is ok but can definitely be bettered.  At one point I was running into an old PS Audio DLink3 that I had lying around unused and the old DAC definitely improved the sound.  I gather that you prefer the DAC from the Node over that of the Peachtree so I would think that a modestly priced DAC will up your system