the itch

You have put together a nice system.

I would put my money to a separate DAC.

I started streaming a couple of years ago with a Node 2i.

Adding a separate DAC was a noticeable improvement

https://www.audiovisionsf.com/collections/puritan-audio-laboratories/products/puritan-psm136-power-conditioner-on-demonstration
 

I can read, $1900 and not the $1500 in OP.  But, I see no power conditioner and it does matter.  Cheers

If you have not addressed your room acoustics yet, that will be a good bang for the buck and will translate to better sound with each upgrade of other components.  I would NOT buy a sub.  Wait till you can afford 2 or more subs.  I had a single Velodyne sub and my dealer suggested that the sound would be better without it.  I thought he was nuts until I had to have it serviced.  When I got it back, I was surprised how much better my listening space  sounded without the sub.  I didn't fully understand room interactions at that time.  A pair of subs will make your lower end better, but even more they will make your overall sound so much better by eliminating nodes in the room, particularly if you have subs with DSP correction.  

akafritz

I'd start with a linear power supply, something from LHY (Vinshine Audio), Teddy Pardo, or SBooster would work fine.....that'd be about $400?

I would next upgrade your DAC, but I would wait until you could afford a Denafrips Pontus 15th R2R ladder DAC for $2,000. You can find them used for about $1,700, but they sell immediately.

The Pontus 15th is a BIG upgrade over the old Pontus II (which I still use and love), it is basically a Venus II 12th which is $3,000. The Pontus 15th is one of the most fun, musical, and enjoyable DACs for under $3,000

My vote is for the Sub it will grow with you, be used on every source you listen to. Don't think you will outgrow it. Also think it will make the biggest impact for money spent. Most other things are almost tweaks, or just small upgrades. Adding a sub ads a new dimension to your sound stage. 

Thanks for all the fantastic feedback.  Its given me a lot to chew on.  I'll look at the options and see what makes the most sense to me for this system.  Sounds like I did a decent job putting it together for this level, but I do understand any material upgrade is going to be a significant one.  I'm starting to learn about next tier gear to understand what kind of budget I'll need.  

The power supply upgrade on the Node is a HUGE upgrade. Do it. Mine is the Node N130, with the Polish internal power supply upgrade and a Chinese linear external power supply. I no longer use an outboard DAC on the Node. Might be selling my CD player. 

https://ebay.us/m/LmuJDW

https://pd-cf.com/produkt/bluesound-node-2021-gen-3-upgrade-smpsu-kit/

Nice system.  You’ve got to scratch that itch.  I suggest upgrading your DAC.  It will make the most noticeable difference in your sound of all the tweaks you listed, in my experience.  I like the NOS DACs.  The Holo Audio Cyan 2 I have in my main system is the best I’ve heard.  Definitely an upgrade from the Bluesound Node N130 that’s now in another system.  Enjoy your ongoing musical journey! 

leorun hit the nail on the head. After room treatment a good controllable sub can be very effective at scratching that itch. I started out with 1 SVS sub and now I have 3... so beware of too much itch. Maybe some cortisol would be cheaper. 

I have a few (older but working fine) REL subs and recently bought a demo (couldn't help it...it needed a home) REL Classic 99 for under 1500 bucks. Great sub, and note that good subs can make any system sing (I use 2, the 99 with a Q150e 10" in my main system). Otherwise, a Freya (original version with NOS tubes) with a Node 2 into a Bifrost 2/64 works for me. 

I’m thinking a DAC, but may I ask this ? In your current setup how does vinyl compare to streaming ? If your TT sounds better and considering I like Schiit gear, I’d suggest a Bifrost or Yiggy DAC. Also consider that you will need to spend $200 plus for a decent cable to connect your Bluesound as a streamer. BTW all my stuff is silver too. Cheers , Mike B. 

I can’t think of anything you’re going to do for $1500. That’s about the apex of mid-fi in the $2-3k range. There aren’t really any big bottlenecks in your system. 

From there you’re headed into the $5-10k range for an appreciable upgrade. Probably if was going to upgrade anything it would be the DAC. 

While not a "component" as such, I've found that room treatment can make a significant improvement in sound quality - similar to a component upgrade. 
For $1500, you can get a lot of bang for your buck going this route. 

I think you have a nicely balanced system. Clearly well thought out. $1,500 is a good bit of money. I would think of your next step as beginning to upgrade to the next level. I would start with a better preamp. I would sell your current one and add the funds to your $1.5 and maybe save a little. I would look for a used audiophile tube preamp. Building great tube preamps have been around for a long time. I would look at Audio Research, Zesto, Conrad Johnson. These will bring a heart and soul to your system, a level of warmth and musicality you are not getting now. Reach as far as you can. It could easily be a component you have for decades. Then when you get the itch again in a few years, you will have something to upgrade around. 

Short term... yes and LPS will incrementally help with detail and noise floor. 

Nice system.  I think that you're being very thoughtful about this.  I would consider this path.  First, add a LPS to your Node.  I did that to mine and got a very noticeable improvement, esp. in the bass.  Inexpensive and good bang for the buck.  Then when funds allow....Second, add an external DAC which will really elevate your sound.  I've found that Focal speakers do well with R2R DACs.  Third, upgrade your streamer and put that in front of your DAC.  You will be amazed how much a better streamer will improve your sound.  Good luck and cheers.

You got the itch, but what are you missing? What are you lusting after? Where does your system let you down? 

For my system, adding a sub was the best all round bang for the buck. After that was a cart upgrade. 

Not sure $1500 is really going to change much if you swap just one component. IMHO the weak links are the cart and streamer. 

A subwoofer pair is for the ROOM,  didn't matter what speaker or what bass it had.

https://tektondesign.com/product/subwoofers/2-10-sub/#color

Get rid of the bluedsound and get a better executed streamer such as this smsl

https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/907.html

Try a multibit dac such as this schiity Bifrost, try nos.

https://www.schiit.com/products/bifrost

Here are a few of the changes I've considered:

 

One idea was a better phono-pre, like a vincent pho-701

Another was a dedicated DAC, but I can't find good info on how much better than whats in the node X I can afford. I was thinking a Denafrips Ares if its really that much better than the X's ESS 9028Q2M Sabre DAC, which I've read is "very good".  

If I stick with the node X DAC, upgrading it with a Linear Power Supply seems a worthy and cheap upgrade.  

A sub like the REL Classic 98. The Arias are actually decent with bass and I've read this may be unnecessary for my music-only listening (no home theater). But if it would be noticeable I'd consider it.  

I just got the Laiv Harmony uDAC to replace my SMSL SU-10.   Big improvement in naturalness, stage depth and width and image placement.  Highly recommended.  I'm using a Schiit Kara, Parasound A23+ and Martin Logan ESL speakers.

Purchase a used Denafrips Pontus II DAC. (under $1500) I started with the Denafrips Ares II and was amazed at how much better it was than my internal DAC's. I then decided to upgrade to the Pontus II. One of the best upgrades I've made to my system. Good luck. ✌🏼

if you’re happy with the Freya+, look at one of their DAC’s

https://www.schiit.com/guides/choosing-a-dac?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=117182881&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsPzHBhDCARIsALlWNG0ow7FJwU4z70HVVr_fPl2ZkFdoeChX1LzqIK553kh33CwYLH2tlLIaAuctEALw_wcB

I wouldn’t waste any money upgrading the node instead I would look at getting a streamer from one of the big three(InnuOs,Aurender, Lumin). 
Me personally I am an InnuOs fanboy. https://innuos.com/
The only problem with getting a subwoofer is that very soon it becomes apparent getting two is going to become a priority in the listening experience. 
hope some of this helps you on your journey!

it's a nice system. I wouldn't think you need a sub. 

I understand the itch but I would start with WHAT ARE YOU MISSING?

The idea of saving for bigger upgrades is wise, but if I had to choose from your list and was patient in the used market:

- Classic 98 for under $1k (used or demo), which could have an impact in your system - it’s not necessarily about the bass, but instead about providing a greater level of ambiance, soundstage, and low end anchor within the system (at least for me).

- LPS for $500 or under for the Node.

= approximately $1500

Definitely a soft suggestion since I know nothing about the Vincent or have any experience with the Denafrips. And LOVE the look of your classy system - just favorited in Virtual Systems.

I can't address everything on your list, but agree with your observation that adding LPS for the node is a good bang for the buck upgrade. For your budget, my sense is that there may not be big gains with a separate DAC until you spend around $3K. That could be wrong, just a thought.