Best EXTERNAL DAC suggestions

Yes. Thank you ALL! 
I bought Rogue used with EH tubes, $900 delivered!

Congrats! Keep us posted!

Fun thread! Good info. As a resident MidFi guy in the group, I’m lovin’ the Auris Audifi. Versatile WiFi devise with ESS Sabre DAC that connects to many music services through the 4Stream phone app. Under $300 and often sold out. The marketplace speaks :)

The weakest parts of my system are my ears, but I’m living in the golden era of Internet info and luxuriate in a recapped high current throwback rig that blends this group’s knowledge with 40 year old pro-audio power. You folks have tipped me to ways I can burrow under HiFi mark ups to find stuff like Mogami cables, the dynamics of “heritage” baffle step box speakers and strong DAC bits hidden in inexpensive devices.

it pays to lurk here! I’m getting huge returns from an unpowered Schiit Sys pre amp switch with an analog pot in line from the Audifi DAC. The discussions here about gain and interconnects were golden. Digital levels maxed with Canare 75 ohm cable into the Sys, with its analog gain pot very low…magically created an awesome soundstage from Mogami 3103 connected Wharfedale Lintons with a small REL sub. Some really smart poster tipped me to try this, noting that “line level” used to be lower into amps like my 1980s era pro audio Crown amps. Might sound like “Red Green Show” stuff to the high end folks here but it is amazingly musical in the confines of our vintage bungalow LOL

I didn't know any better and was using the Node for a preamp.  I have rhe 2i.  It is a digital volume control and "bit strips"  I changed it to "fixed volume".  Very important!  I have very similar speakers.  I use a passive Khozmo preamp.  My system is quiet, detailed and neutral.  You have lots of choices to make your system sound better.

I have to see/hear if an EXTERNAL DAC will now be order?

First, congrats on the new pre!  I’m sure you’re gonna hear very significant improvements, and please let us know what you think once you getter burned in a bit.  
That said, significant further improvements await ridding yourself of the Node’s onboard DAC especially now that you’ve got a good preamp that’ll more fully expose the benefits of a good separate DAC.  I think you’ve got a lot to look forward to in the future, and congrats again on the new pre.