Upgrade Internal DAC of Node or go with Atoll ST120.

So now my list looks like this:

--DAC/Streamer Options—

Atoll MS120 or ST200

Lumin D2

--DAC only with Node—

Soncoz SGD1

Aune X8
 

The blue sound node is very low quality,it’s fine if audio quality is an afterthought 

rule of thumb 25% on average goes into a product including packaging 

the rest overhead and markup meaning $125 ,  buy a $950 Denafrips aries2 dac 

even run through a computer ,night and day better sound ,my nephew had one at college it’s ok  for streaming at a beginner level , I just use a purpose built computer for music and external dac , and for Ethernet a Uptone audio Ether regen

it truly cleans up the digital incoming signal after the router at the end point ,

for usb a nice little ad on is usb perfect  the usb cable plugs into.

buya quality usb cable and ethernet cable , if on a budget a excellent model for both cables is, the Wireworld  star light . I have been just working my way up in streaming ,,I am trying to buy the Denafrips Terminator + it’s excellent dac  my personal favorite in its price class $6400, it competes with anything even at $10 k 

an-easy recommendation  !

I’ve been looking at the Gustard R26 as a dac upgrade that has an integrated streamer.  Slightly more than your budget but likely worth it.

Fwiw. In your price range is the iFi zen streamer + Rme dac

The R26 was on my list but not much info on the built in streamer. DAC is supposed to be pretty amazing for the money though.