Used DAC choice: Schiit modi 2u for $69 vs. Peachtree DAC-iT?

@djones -- thanks. Comparing the Node with the Peachtree will be something to try. Even if their character is different, I’ll learn something. I was going to buy a cable to connect the transport with the Node 2i (something which others said I could do) and I thought that for a little more $$ it would be fun to try an external DAC originally priced at $450 or so. If it’s not better than the Node 2i, I can always use the Peachtree with my laptop.

So your the person who stole the dacit out from under me.... LMAO.

Seriously I was about to buy it for exactly same purpose in second system then saw it said sold.
Please report back with your impressions.

Like everything in this hobby better is subjective, I haven’t heard the peachtree just going by specs on the two, Node2i and peachtree, it will give you a chance to compare different chips implemented in different ways, Node2i uses Burr brown,  peachtree ESS. IMO unless the DAC is intended to have a sound signature, i.e. tube dacs, R2R dacs, filters implemented, I have a hard time telling good neutral dacs apart. I doubt I could do better than chance in a blind test.

@uberwaltz -- so sorry! I do appreciate knowing that someone else wanted it! Tell you what, if I ever decide to get rid of it, I'll message you and we can arrange something way under market!

@djones I often have trouble telling things apart. I'm learning more about being a "critical listener" as Harley calls it, but often I find it hard to freeze a moving sound impression in my mind with enough precision to then compare it -- after a delay -- to another moving sound impression. In some cases, it's obvious -- "no bass" or "harsh treble" -- in other cases, it feels like guessing.

@djones, you were right about how hard it might be to hear a difference between the DAC chips. I got the Peachtree DAC today and tried it out against the Node 2i streamer. Some listening reports.

It’s hard to control all the variables, but I played the exact same cuts on different setups. 
SOURCE: Either Spotify or CD (same cut on each)
DACs: Either Node 2i or Peachtree
SPEAKERS & HEADPHONES both used.

Here’s what I know for sure:

NO NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE:
When the source is a Spotify stream, I *cannot* tell the difference between:
* Node 2i’s DAC
vs.
* Node 2i’s run via bypass through Peachtree DAC

YES, A DIFFERENCE:
* Cambridge CXC transport via Peachtree DAC (wider soundstage, clearer treble, more fulsome bass) is better than either:
* Spotify via Node 2i direct
* Spotify via Peachtree DAC

Again, this is a flawed test, and could be due to a lossy/lossless difference. That is, the lossless quality of the CD player vs. the lossy (but high quality Spotify source.

If I sign up for Qobuz or Tidal, I can do a better comparison by eliminating the lossy factor.

Everything sounds pretty great, though -- and musical.