Got a Node 2i, what's next?


So, I admit that I'm not much of a digital guy.  I ordered an Node 2i for the main HT system mostly for Amazon HD.  Much better than roku --> Denon AVR-X3600.  I liked it so much I ordered another for my previously all analog 2 channel system.

It's not bad, and convenient. Not even close to vinyl on the same release and level matched recordings, but then again, I didn't expect it to be.  I keep reading about how you can easily improve the sound by adding in an external DAC.  Here's where I get confused.

I don't want to spend a lot on a DAC, because at best it's a secondary source.  I'd feel comfortable in the $500 - $1000 range, but I'm really confused over the options and how they relate to sound quality.

First, r/2r vs I guess delta sigma?  What are the sonic advantages of either, there are widely differing opinions there.  I understand how each works from reading around, but how does it relate to sound quality?

Second, multibit vs whatever else.  Same basic questions, what are the basic sound characteristics of each?

Third, oversampling or no.

And lastly, what bitrate/bit depth is considered adequate?  24/192 seems to be standard but some dacs only have 24/128 over optical.  Will this make any difference real world with HD streaming?  I also have an old NAD cd player with coax digital out I might want to hook up for kicks.

I've researched three so far, the Denefrips Ares II, , the Schiit offerings below $1K, and the Cambridge Audio DacMagic 200M.  I would like to have balanced outputs to keep the digital circuitry as far away from the analog stuff as possible.

Thanks in advance for your answers.



vinylzone
Another vote for RME ADI2 Pro. Unbeatable with any of the other options. Schitt is loved in my book, but RME is a crazy good product. I wish it made a difference in connecting my Mac Mini to my powered Dynaudio speakers. 
Listening is subjective, but I couldn’t disagree more with the OP statement that the Node sounds like it’s out of the 1990s, not if it’s paired with a decent DAC.  I have one in an HT system that I paired with an old PSAudio DigitalLink  3, vintage 2006, and it really sounds good.  One of these DACs probably goes for $150 now
The included DAC with the Node is very limiting—it would be like listening to a turntable with a $20 cartridge.  Since the OP seems not to care, basing all his judgements of digital on low end stuff, I wonder what he is trying to achieve with this thread.  He could just blue tooth it and be happy.    Sorry to be curmudgeonly, but I get tired of people posting here “I don’t like digital, I am not willing to make any investment to be persuaded otherwise, but recommend me something cheap that will blow me away”. That’s like asking the Detroit Lions to claim some guy on waivers that will take them to the Super Bowl 
@mahler123
Listening is subjective, but I couldn’t disagree more with the OP statement that the Node sounds like it’s out of the 1990s, not if it’s paired with a decent DAC.
That is the point of my thread.  I'm looking for a dac in the $500-$1k price range to pair with the node 2i.  Not sure how you missed that.

The included DAC with the Node is very limiting—it would be like listening to a turntable with a $20 cartridge. Since the OP seems not to care, basing all his judgements of digital on low end stuff, I wonder what he is trying to achieve with this thread.
See above.

Sorry to be curmudgeonly, but I get tired of people posting here “I don’t like digital, I am not willing to make any investment to be persuaded otherwise, but recommend me something cheap that will blow me away”.
What thread were you reading? 

I'm not looking for state of the art, at least right now.  I'm looking for the best sound I can find in a dac within my current budget.    I'm not looking to be "blown away".  I don't dislike digital in principal.  You already agreed that the Node internal dac isn't adequate.

So, I really don't understand the basis for your rant.


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My suggestion would be the Denefrips Ares ll. Buy a Shunyata Venom digital cable for your Node 2i, you’ll thank me!