Great suggestions here but I'd add one more: Chord Hugo M Scaler. To me, it's a device that can truly bridge the gap between digital and analog. If you (like me) have 'analog ears' then you might find (like me) that digital will always be unsatisfying because of the simple fact that it's missing too much information. To me, having grown up listening to analog (so yes, maybe slightly biased), even good digital sounds like a *picture* of the music but not the real thing. Analog gives me the illusion of the actual event in a way that digital doesn't seem capable of doing.
At least that's how i've felt until recently when I acquired an M Scaler and then a Chord Dave. The Dave is very good but still sounds typically digital to me without the M Scaler. Add the M Scaler and suddenly the digital system enters into the same league as my record player. It's not as good, all told, but it's close. and close enough that it opens up an amazing synergy between analog sound quality and digital freedom of choice. Streaming though the Dave/M Scaler even with just a Bluesound Node is very satisfying. I can sit and listen and focus without fidgeting for something to read, which is what usually happens in a digital system for me. If I need to work and not be distracted by the music, I can turn off the M Scaler and find myself freed to ignore the music again. perfect!
Just a thought. I don't really have a dog in the fight of analog vs digital. Analog is (IMHO) objectively better AS OF NOW but in the long run I'm sure that digital will live up to its potential for quality reproduction and not just convenience and mobility.
At least that's how i've felt until recently when I acquired an M Scaler and then a Chord Dave. The Dave is very good but still sounds typically digital to me without the M Scaler. Add the M Scaler and suddenly the digital system enters into the same league as my record player. It's not as good, all told, but it's close. and close enough that it opens up an amazing synergy between analog sound quality and digital freedom of choice. Streaming though the Dave/M Scaler even with just a Bluesound Node is very satisfying. I can sit and listen and focus without fidgeting for something to read, which is what usually happens in a digital system for me. If I need to work and not be distracted by the music, I can turn off the M Scaler and find myself freed to ignore the music again. perfect!
Just a thought. I don't really have a dog in the fight of analog vs digital. Analog is (IMHO) objectively better AS OF NOW but in the long run I'm sure that digital will live up to its potential for quality reproduction and not just convenience and mobility.