Got a Node 2i, what's next?


So, I admit that I'm not much of a digital guy.  I ordered an Node 2i for the main HT system mostly for Amazon HD.  Much better than roku --> Denon AVR-X3600.  I liked it so much I ordered another for my previously all analog 2 channel system.

It's not bad, and convenient. Not even close to vinyl on the same release and level matched recordings, but then again, I didn't expect it to be.  I keep reading about how you can easily improve the sound by adding in an external DAC.  Here's where I get confused.

I don't want to spend a lot on a DAC, because at best it's a secondary source.  I'd feel comfortable in the $500 - $1000 range, but I'm really confused over the options and how they relate to sound quality.

First, r/2r vs I guess delta sigma?  What are the sonic advantages of either, there are widely differing opinions there.  I understand how each works from reading around, but how does it relate to sound quality?

Second, multibit vs whatever else.  Same basic questions, what are the basic sound characteristics of each?

Third, oversampling or no.

And lastly, what bitrate/bit depth is considered adequate?  24/192 seems to be standard but some dacs only have 24/128 over optical.  Will this make any difference real world with HD streaming?  I also have an old NAD cd player with coax digital out I might want to hook up for kicks.

I've researched three so far, the Denefrips Ares II, , the Schiit offerings below $1K, and the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M.  I would like to have balanced outputs to keep the digital circuitry as far away from the analog stuff as possible.

Thanks in advance for your answers.



vinylzone

Showing 3 responses by mahler123

Sorry, the last parentheses should be “any other transport than the node 2).
The OP refers to DACs as a “secondary “ source.  Transports matter, but the DAC imo is much more important.  Think of it like a gourmet restaurant.  You have a great chef (DAC).  The chef has two helpers to purchase the ingredients.  One goes to Walmart and gets reasonable quality food, at least it isn’t rotten and worm filled (Node 2i).  The other goes to Farmer Markets, etc and gets the highest quality food.(any other DAC than the Node).  The chef will probably make a great meal either way, but which would you prefer?
Listening is subjective, but I couldn’t disagree more with the OP statement that the Node sounds like it’s out of the 1990s, not if it’s paired with a decent DAC.  I have one in an HT system that I paired with an old PSAudio DigitalLink  3, vintage 2006, and it really sounds good.  One of these DACs probably goes for $150 now
The included DAC with the Node is very limiting—it would be like listening to a turntable with a $20 cartridge.  Since the OP seems not to care, basing all his judgements of digital on low end stuff, I wonder what he is trying to achieve with this thread.  He could just blue tooth it and be happy.    Sorry to be curmudgeonly, but I get tired of people posting here “I don’t like digital, I am not willing to make any investment to be persuaded otherwise, but recommend me something cheap that will blow me away”. That’s like asking the Detroit Lions to claim some guy on waivers that will take them to the Super Bowl