This thread made me ask myself the question "just how good is my Node 2?".
I've been very happy with it (I have 2 of them). One of the first things I did when I got it was connect it to my Auralic Vega DAC and bypass the Node 2's DAC. Next came experimenting with some coax cables. I'm currently using a Shunyata Python Zitron coax cable. I recently changed my ethernet cables to CAT6 and added a Pangea C7 power cable. It's connected to the internet by a wireless access point (I've tried running a cable directly from my router and couldn't detect any noticeable difference).
I listened to Wild Mountain Honey by Steve Miller from my MFSL vinyl using my two turntables, a Technics SL1200 MK2 with Nagaoka MP-500 and Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena phono stage and my JVC QL-Y66F with a Kiseki Blue NS and Manley Chinook phono stage. I also listened using my 30th anniversary Fly Like an Eagle CD in my Marantz KI-Pearl SACD player. Out of those four sources, (in my opinion) the Node 2 came in last, with the best being the JVC turntable and the KI-Pearl a very close second.
I'm sure that's not exactly a fair comparison, due to different versions of the mastering, but it was enlightening. I still love the Node 2 and unless I really try, I don't notice any shortcomings in it's sound quality, but when I do listen critically there's a certain "hardness" to it that isn't present in the other sources.
Now I may have to audition higher end streamers. I really like the BluOS interface and finding something as flexible in terms of streaming options and ease of use will be as important (if not more) than sound quality.
I've been very happy with it (I have 2 of them). One of the first things I did when I got it was connect it to my Auralic Vega DAC and bypass the Node 2's DAC. Next came experimenting with some coax cables. I'm currently using a Shunyata Python Zitron coax cable. I recently changed my ethernet cables to CAT6 and added a Pangea C7 power cable. It's connected to the internet by a wireless access point (I've tried running a cable directly from my router and couldn't detect any noticeable difference).
I listened to Wild Mountain Honey by Steve Miller from my MFSL vinyl using my two turntables, a Technics SL1200 MK2 with Nagaoka MP-500 and Musical Surroundings Nova Phonomena phono stage and my JVC QL-Y66F with a Kiseki Blue NS and Manley Chinook phono stage. I also listened using my 30th anniversary Fly Like an Eagle CD in my Marantz KI-Pearl SACD player. Out of those four sources, (in my opinion) the Node 2 came in last, with the best being the JVC turntable and the KI-Pearl a very close second.
I'm sure that's not exactly a fair comparison, due to different versions of the mastering, but it was enlightening. I still love the Node 2 and unless I really try, I don't notice any shortcomings in it's sound quality, but when I do listen critically there's a certain "hardness" to it that isn't present in the other sources.
Now I may have to audition higher end streamers. I really like the BluOS interface and finding something as flexible in terms of streaming options and ease of use will be as important (if not more) than sound quality.