How many of you believe in MQA?

I wouldn't say I'm "embracing" MQA, but I don't hate it either.  I think it sounds better than a CD quality file even with a non MQA DAC just letting Tidal's app do the first unfold.  I prefer hi-res files on Qobuz where I don't need a special device to get "all" of the MQA "magic".  I bought a MQA enabled DAC to see if there is a big difference, and there isn't to my ears.  

Your Bluesound will unfold MQA files if you use the analog outs.  I don't understand your statement that you can't control the Bluesound when running the sound through a DAC.  I do exactly that using my phone or tablet on two of my systems - Bluesound Node 2 ----> DAC ----> Preamp.

Larry, I think you're confused about a couple of things.

First, you shouldn't need a PC in the chain.  You stream music from the Bluesound Node 2 directly to your Arcam or you can run it to the Pro-Ject DAC via a coax cable and connect the DAC to the Arcam.  You may find the Node 2i's DAC is as good or better than the Pro-Ject DAC.  Either way, you should be able to get a full unfold of the MQA files.

The Bluesound app will control streaming from music services like Tidal, Qobuz, Radio Paradise, etc. as well as stream music from your home network if you have files that you have shared on your network.  The DAC just converts digital signals to analog and passes them to the Arcam.  There's nothing to control on the DAC.

Bob, technically, you're correct as both phones and tablets are "computers".  I have the desktop app on my PC also and can control the Bluesound from there, but it isn't required.  I almost always use my phone or tablet.  In fact, I just downloaded the PC app yesterday.

The interface for the Bluesound has to be run on some kind of device. 

Larry was talking about having to physically go to his computer, which you don't have to do with a phone or tablet (or laptop).

Kind of like the "digital vs. vinyl" discussion in another thread, it doesn't have to be either/or.  I have both Tidal and Qobuz (and Spotify and Pandora too).  From a pure sound quality standpoint, I prefer Qobuz.  I also dislike the idea of having to buy specific hardware to get the "best" quality.  Tidal has a bigger selection and there are some things about its interface I like better than Qobuz, like the "My Mix" selections. 

Both Tidal and Qobuz sound really good even at CD quality and both MQA and Hi Res sound great.  MQA content sounds great even with my non-MQA DACs.  

I doubt that I could tell which was which if you were to blindfold me.

It's a lot like my other hobby - photography.  People get caught up in brand wars, debates about file formats (RAW vs. JPG), and more.  At the end of the day, I don't think there's a photographer out there that could look at an image and say what camera it was made with or if it was processed in RAW or as a JPG.

Larry,

The DAC in the Bluesound is really good.  Try it first and see how you like it.  The Bluesound has everything you need to control it remotely, you just need to download an app for whatever device (phone, tablet, PC, laptop, iPad, etc.) you prefer to use.

I have both of my Node 2's connected to external DACs and there is an improvement in sound quality, but it's not a dramatic one.  In my main system I am using an Auralic Vega DAC.  In my bedroom system, I'm using a Mytek Liberty DAC.  The Vega doesn't do MQA and that doesn't matter to me.  The Liberty does do MQA and it sounds nice, but it's not as "natural" sounding as the Vega.  The Liberty retails for $1K and the Vega when it was new retailed for $3,500.  I think both improve the sound quality of the Node 2, but it's not as dramatic of an improvement as you might get with room treatment, better speakers, a preamp upgrade, etc.

I have no experience with the Bel Canto unit you mentioned, so won't comment.

My advice is to listen to the Node 2 for a while and see how you like it.  If you're happy with it, you're all set.  If you'd like to hear better sound quality, consider the MHDT Orchid DAC.  It's well under your budget and will bring a more "analog" like sound to your system and will retrieve more detail than the Bluesound's DAC.  It won't do MQA, but I doubt you'll care. 

I don't have a recommendation for a DAC that will do MQA, the Liberty is the only one I've tried and I think there are better sounding DACs even if they don't do MQA.

what i I was asking is what DAC’s are out that could be hooked up to the Bluesound that can totally unfold MQA and be controlled remotely by iPhone,iPad and PC Notebook without having to get out of a chair to change to another album?

You already have all of these things in the Node 2i.  There's nothing to "control" in a DAC, at least not in regards to your music selections, unless it is also a streamer (like the Node 2i). 

I have one of my Node 2's connected to my Auralic Vega DAC.  I control music selections with the Bluesound app on my phone or tablet.  You can also install an app on your laptop. 

I can change inputs and a few other things on my DAC with the remote, but it has nothing to do with music selections.  

Download the Bluesound app to your phone, tablet, and/or laptop, let it "find" the device on your network, and then you'll be able to use most of the major streaming services from your recliner as well as stream any music files you have available on your network.

This stuff isn't rocket surgery.  A little time spent reading the manual will go a long way.  There's also a lot of really simple and easy to read information on Bluesound's site and they also have forums.