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Moving up from a Node 2i

I want to keep it between 1K and 1500.00, closer to a grand if at all possible. I don't care about onboard DACs, since I have a keen liking for mine. What is out there for a streamer, new or used, that will sound better than the Node when outputting to an external DAC? I like the functionality of the Node, don't want something with a sketchy user interface. But honestly, I think my old Allo Digione (Raspberry Pi) might have sounded a little more organic and fleshed out than the Node.

What say ye, Audiogon?

Oz



128x128ozzy62
jond's avatar
jond
5,686 posts
 
Not really I guess I just hate the idea of buying one with a feature I would never use. I am happy with my current streamer, an Aries Mini, but since Auralic discontinued the Mini long term I will have to make a move. The Zen looks very interesting.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,939 posts
 
Why pay for something you'll never use.  I sure if you eliminate the TEAC CD slot drive and the 1TB hard drive, it would save $300-$400 dollars...no?  That would be ideal.  Shouldn't be that hard to do either.
tcatch
34 posts
 
If you could find a used Lumin U1 mini (lists for $2K), that might do the job.  I think there's one for sale here on Audiogon.
kishekar
20 posts
 
FWIW, I upgraded about two years back from using a Node 2 -> Chord 2Qute to getting a used Auralic Aries w/ Dual Femto and linear power supply, used, for I think about $700.

Replacing the Node 2 with the Aries for streaming made a very noticeable improvement and took the 2Qute to another level,  destroying my previously held notions that "moving 1s and 0s works fine from any HDD to a PC, so it shouldn't matter for music"
lordrootman's avatar
lordrootman
359 posts
 
Cambridge Azur 851N 
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