How To Connect a DAC?

@hoimz

We have 7 4’x6’ utility rugs on the floor.  A carpeted stairway comes into the space.  Upholstered couch and 12 chairs/stools.  6 bookshelves.  3 plants.  Etc.  I don’t notice it being echoey.

I have read many comments by people with a Node who say a new DAC improved SQ.  But others who I have asked about hookup have different equipment than me such as a preamp, which I don’t have.

I don’t think I would buy an Aires II or similar as I’d fear it won’t make enough of an improvement.  I definitely want it to be noticeable.  I am going slow as a quality DAC like a Pontus is expensive.

We have 7 4’x6’ utility rugs on the floor.  A carpeted stairway comes into the space.  Upholstered couch and 12 chairs/stools.  6 bookshelves.  3 plants.  Etc.  I don’t notice it being echoey

I was thinking more of boomy bass modes, but being it is a large room… usually helps.

The hard part here is to understand whether any of the room, subs or bit-stream/DAC gear is going to be significant… and which is more significant.

I would be more tempted to suggest MiniDSP (DIRAC), or some DSP/EQ … or a DAC with EQ as I mentioned previously.
But Roon and some of the other streamers also have S/W-EQ that can implemented for streaming… which points us back to REW and a UMIK to understand what is happening and whether anything needs to be considered.

(We just do not, or cannot know if any of that is significant without a mic or some ears.)

The Beolab advert sheet mentioned that one can stream through the iPad.
How do they sound when doing that?
If it is not vastly different from the Node3, then I suspect that one is giving up some convenience and a lot of $, for no significant improvement. 

EQ would be significant, but if it is already good, then the only way it can go is to get significantly worse… I doubt it is perfect.

@tcotruvo if you intend sticking with the Node 3/N130, regardless of whether you decide to add an external DAC, I would recommend modding the power supply as someone else suggested. Even if you eventually bypass the Node's DAC, the power supply still has a significant, beneficial affect; for me it certainly did. 

@painter24

Yes, that is a good upgrade. I recently added a CD Creative board with Pardo LPS and I confirm the improvement!

@holmz

Thx! I can tell that you are really trying to understand my whole system to help me! The BeoLab 8000 speakers were discontinued around 2010. My first streaming was with my iPad to an AirPort Express then to the 8000’s.  The NODE was a big step up. I like my sound now, but if it can get better, then 👍👍👍. As I mentioned, if I can get more detail and realism in vocals that would be great.  But I’m not desperate or frustrated. I’ll add something like a minidsp SHD to my list. For what it’s worth, that has 4 RCA Outs, so connecting it to my 2 speakers and 2 subs would be standard. Thx again!

A bit more information that might help explain things:

I’m hearing deficient in higher frequencies.  Sometimes I can hear the sound of the hammer on a piano high note, but not the note itself.  If high frequency problems are in my room, I don’t hear them.

I tend to play my music on the quiet side.  Usually I’m at 1/3 or below on my Node volume slider.  I’m not looking to feel bass in my chest.  I’m more interested in the delicate nuances of music, hearing it rather than feeling it.  Too much loud noise is tiring.  I live in a quiet home on a big lake, so the music is an accessory, not the main show.

I like jazz, instrumentals. and vocals.  Not much rock, hip hop or oldies.  I’ve mostly been listening to Paradise Radio MQA Mellow.