Streamer/DAC combo or stand alone DAC with Node2?


greetings,

I am looking to complete/upgrade my hifi setup and would appreciate divergent thoughts on the topic.  

System:  McIntosh MA252 Hybrid, Spendor D7, Node 2 for Tidal.
Budget:  Anything under $3000.
Based in Belgium with a journey to the States in the summer.

I listen to Tidal 95% of the time. The Node2 is fine, but is now the weak link in my system.   I've heard the Chord DAVE and the Qutest, both good.  I found Mytek LIberty and Brooklyn + to not do much beyond the Node. Surprising.  

As I pretty much only use Tidal and will never use a computer or Roon etc., I want one more box to either improve the Node2 or replace it.  I don't want to open up the MQA debate, bit it would be nice to have a MQA capable device.

Suggestions please. 
alchemyman

Showing 2 responses by djones51

The dac in the node2i is pretty good but I prefer using the dac in my integrated amp which uses some version of an  AKM 4490 
The node2i according to their marketing uses newer tricke down technology from the NAD masters 50.2 which is one of the differences between the 2 and 2i but it does use the same dac as the  node2. I have never heard the node2 but the 2i sounds great to my ears.