New to DAC, need advice.

I streamed Tidal (in Win7) over a .7m Oyaide Neo d+ Class A USB cable to a Pre Box S2 digital for a month, replaced with a Node2 yesterday. What a difference, everything is now so alive and involving, the interplay (timing) and emphasis of threads within the tapestry is now so distinct, I can see into the music without trying. The sense of musicality is so engaging.

With the pro-ject, I enjoyed MQA cuts more. Now I just don't seem to care, it's all just so enjoyable. I'm thinking that not going through the USB interface is what is making the difference.

Next, will try feeding the digital node2 signal to the Pro-ject and see what happens.

Ok @ratboysr I did it, but couldn’t duplicate the conditions. Listened from the same space this time, at lower levels. The volume was much higher yesterday while I was throughout the house going about my business.

I sensed the pro-ject’s sound is more refined and tonally seems more correct, ie: piano, wood strikes, etc. (unamplified instruments) but need to do more critical and AB listening. The musicality is still there, but different experience at lower levels, with different music. Toslink out from the node2 so no MQA full unfolds.

I’m also almost sure that the node2’s output/voltage swings were slightly higher.

I’m more impressed now with the pro-ject’s performance fed from a hardwired node2 instead of a computer. Seems more alive and I *almost😀* don’t care anymore about MQA.

Oh, I never wired up my win7 laptop, was streaming Tidal wireless to it. Very happy camper with both..for now lol.

Didn't need too much work to decide: Node 2 is much more engaging/inviting to listen to, in spite of the pro-ject's (in my room with my music and ears yada yada) better tonality and "cleaner" sound. Music through it is so alive, bass so tuneful I can't help but nod my head and tap my feet with the music, and the deepest bass I've had in *this* space. There is a "rightness" to its delivery bottom to top. I detect no glare, brightness, or fatigue (like the pro-ject).

I've read reviews on gear where the reviewer hardly had notes because he was into the music so much, well.. that's the effect it has on me.

I *know* and sense it's not perfect.. but don't seem to care, all that matters is the mood is coming through from whatever's playing. Introspective, upbeat, playful, tragic, etc.

 Funny thing, I was clueless how or where BluOS got or compiled a random list of tracks and artists I never heard of before and played it without my input but I *got* that music too (my wife took over from her tablet lol).

I'm using cost appropriate AC power sources, Pangea 14SE MkII w/c7 connector Cord off my older micromega myDAC fed by an antique US made Tripplite LC1500 Conditioner I've had in my main rigs since '85.

Node2 rocks! I encourage you to try it for yourself.