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Decent DAC/Streamer

My current system has two potential weak links.

The first is my DAC through which I play ripped CDs (my primary medium). It is a Schiit Modi 2 Uber. To be honest, I don't really perceive any issues with it. It approximates played CDs fairly well.

The second is my streaming set up. Currently Amazon Music (so no hi-rez) via Apple TV to the Schiit via optical. There are noticeable SQ issues here that I think have more to do with the Apple TV than the file size from Amazon.

So I'm wondering about a DAC/Streamer combo. The Node2i certainly comes to mind and if it is likely to be an improvement over Apple TV AND its DAC would be superior to the Schiit Modi them it would probably be the lowest price solution.  

I've also seen the Oppo Sonica (now discontinued) for sale in the $850-$1000 range and wondering about its DAC and ease of use with an iphone or laptop.

Open to other ideas but would say my potential future budget (there are currently _zero_ funds available) would be under $1000.
n80

Showing 2 responses by n80

n80 OP
2,100 posts
 
@mahler, the literature on the Node 2 says that it can be connected to an external hard drive.
n80 OP
2,100 posts
 
I tried the Chromecast and was not happy with it. It did not play well with Amazon Music and, to be honest, I do not particularly like dealing with Google.

Since my streaming is mostly low-res and used primarily to find music to buy, I might just need to focus on the DAC.

I keep going around in circles with this.

If I thought the SQ from the Node 2i's DAC was as good or better than the Modi 2 I might give it a try.
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