DAC upgrade

You should consider the PS Audio Directstream DAC Mk1. It definitely doesn't have the form factor you want, which may well disqualify it, but it's an amazing DAC an now with the Mk2 out they are selling for around $2k, I've seen one for $1900.

Your Schiit DAC is not the weakest link in your chain.

As is the case with most systems, it appears to me the weak link is either the speakers or amplification.

Audiophiles like to focus on upgrading components such as DACs because they’re light and easy to swap. The reality though, is that they make far less a contribution to total performance.

That aside, if you search the second-hand sites and fleabay, you’ll notice there are always plenty of Qutests listed. There is good reason for that, there is nothing exceptional about its sound. In fact, its most noteworthy trait is how lean it sounds in the bass, even compared to inexpensive “Chi-Fi” DACs like the D90.

The RME would’ve been the best option on your list, largely because of its adjustability and parametric EQ. You can adjust the RME to make it sound similar to a great many other DACs. It can also compensate for weaknesses elsewhere in the chain.

Not to rain on your parade, I simply believe in being candid, it doesn’t help to tiptoe around the truth. But since you already ordered one, you’ll get to hear the difference (or lack thereof) for yourself. That is, if you level match the outputs and attempt to remain objective when A/Bing the Qutest against your current DAC. But if you don’t conduct the comparison, then yeah, chances are that well-machined brick of metal with the cool little sight glass is going to sound better. 

Oh, and replacing your Node would be a mistake as well, since you already own an outboard DAC. Contrary to the crackpot consensus around this forum, the primary factor in choosing a stand-alone streamer should be its operating software, and rather unfortunately, Bluesound’s is already the best. The main problem is that most around here are like kids on Christmas morning when they receive a shiny new toy in the mail. Of course those same 1s and 0s are going to sound better when you approach “upgrades” in that frame of mind. Meanwhile, many of them own speakers that are distortion machines, or are not remotely capable of a linear response. That or their speakers are 12 inches from room boundaries. Silly.

(addressing the OP) It’s really up to you to specify your sonic preferences. In this thread you have solid recommendations for divergent types of DACs:

1. Those that are highly resolving, "accurate," and detailed above all else (ie, Weiss; Chord; any other delta-sigma)
2. And those that are musical, organic, and smooth, though not resolving quite as much detail (ie, Pontus; Ares)

Getting a really great DAC from the category that doesn’t suit your preferences would only waste time & money.

As for myself, I’m all in on NOS DACs. Have 3 of them and will never go back to delta-sigma. The best of my 3 on a technical basis is the Metrum Onyx. Easy to recommend that--but the recommendation only has meaning if you favor the sound in #2 above...

I owned 2 Topping D90 DAC, the MQA and non-MQA. Both too sterile. I was thinking that the second time I got it, I had a very warm setup then, that the Topping would match, no luck.

I currently have the Benchmark DAC3B. It is hot on top and works nicely with warmer gear such as my Class A CODA #16 amp and my RAAL VM-1a tube headphone amp. With my Benchmark AHB2 amp the DAC3B is too hot and irritates me physically.

I also have a Schitt Yggi+ LIM and it is a great DAC. It was supposed to be a temp DAC after I sold the $15k Lumin X1. Lucky for me I liked the LIM more than any DAC I owned for almost all my gear. It was not a homerun with the AHB2 amp. I am testing it out now in Yggi+ NOS mode which may be what I am wanting to hear. I need more time to evaluate. The Yggi+ and AHB2 are rather good, just not excellent.

Some other DACs I owned include:

• Gustard X26 Pro (nice warm DAC)
• Musetec 005 (loved it except it was too warm for my RAAL phones). Loved it with my AHB2 amp
• Audio Mirror Tubador v3

I will have to spend a bit of money to get better than the Yggi+ LIM in my system. The top contender is the Playback Designs 2 top end DACs to pair with the CODA and AHB2.

Oh, and replacing your Node would be a mistake as well, since you already own an outboard DAC. Contrary to the crackpot consensus around this forum, the primary factor in choosing a stand-alone streamer should be its operating software, and rather unfortunately, Bluesound’s is already the best. The main problem is that most around here are like kids on Christmas morning when they receive a shiny new toy in the mail. Of course those same 1s and 0s are going to sound better when you approach “upgrades” in that frame of mind. Meanwhile, many of them own speakers that are distortion machines, or are not remotely capable of a linear response. That or their speakers are 12 inches from room boundaries. Silly.

Some streamers that are head and shoulders better than the NODE

• Sonore OpticalRendu
• Playback Designs Streamer-IF
• Lumin X1

I owned all 3 and compared them side-by-side. The Node is a toy compared to these 3. The beauty of the gear listed above is that they all use a Fibre Optic cable. It is not just 1’s and 0’s that matter with regards to streaming, the noise that gets into the DAC from what the DAC is connected too matters, RJ45, USB, etc. Read up what some great DAC designers think of Fibre and not experts on this forum (like me).