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
No streamer will make any meaningful difference. Get yourself a NUC and a Roon subscription, you'll spend 1K or less and be able to enjoy your music at a different level  . . .
@marklings So Roon fed into an existing streamer and dac using it as a Roon endpoint delivers an improvement in sound quality?
The streamer should make no difference to the sound. It’s all about the interface they have and the blue iOS has a great one. Save your money!
Not so sure the post below this is to be taken factually.

lots of discussions about how the streamer makes an impact and lots of reference points on how SQ improvements can be had that are superior to a Node 2i....which I have into a Chord Qutest.

sure, the app matters, and several up-market streamers make good ones: Innous and Lumin.

one of these days, there will a streamer shoot out going to the same outboard DAC.

until then,statements like the one below should be viewed as opinions only.

same thing was said of turntable cartridges and CD transports...right?

Look at a BelCanto.  Take a look at a better
DAC.  It is all about the DAC.
If I really thought that I wouldn’t be looking at anything else. I have a heavily modified MHDT Pagoda that will stack up against anything else I could possibly afford.

Oz