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Moving up from a Node 2i

I want to keep it between 1K and 1500.00, closer to a grand if at all possible. I don't care about onboard DACs, since I have a keen liking for mine. What is out there for a streamer, new or used, that will sound better than the Node when outputting to an external DAC? I like the functionality of the Node, don't want something with a sketchy user interface. But honestly, I think my old Allo Digione (Raspberry Pi) might have sounded a little more organic and fleshed out than the Node.

What say ye, Audiogon?

Oz



ozzy62
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
6,510 posts
 
From my limited knowledge of streaming, it’s seems the consensus is USB seems better than coax?

It's been a few years, but I did a shootout with all the various digital output types when I had a bunch of gear that allowed it.

My findings, (and this strictly MY preference) were:

1. Tie---I2S and Firewire (very rare to find)
2.  AES/EBU
3. Coax on BNC
4. Coax on RCA
5. USB
6. Glass Fiber
7. Toslink

This was probably 4-5 years ago.  Has the USB interface changed?  I found it to be one of my least favorite?  Just curious, because I've never looked back towards USB after this...
gelle
101 posts
 
Like I said ,  not a lot of experience. But for me SBT via USB (using EDO) into my Oppo 105 sounds better than CoAx. 
jond's avatar
jond
6,105 posts
 
@jetter There's nothing wrong with your system your Museatex-Meitner Dac is just better than what's in the Node. Same with my Auralic Aries Mini its internal Dac is just ok, outputting to an external Dac it sounds great.
m1k3
23 posts
 
@gelle, that’s what it’s about: find what works best with your gear. The 105 has a great DAC and Oppo always had good USB implementations in their universal players. Too bad their done; I have a 205 and it’s probably the last disc-spinner I’ll ever own.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62 OP
3,714 posts
 
Update.

After allowing the Lumin U1 mini to burn in for around 100 hours the gap widened between it and the Node 2i. I believe the Lumin is more transparent and tonally more natural than the Node. I am keeping the U1 mini and selling the Node. It's not a huge difference, but I find I enjoy music through the Lumin more when the dust settles.

Oz



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