DAC? how much more $$$ to get a significant improvement over Bluesound Node?

starting to get into dacs, never thought much of external dacs before

it seems like there are some state of the art pieces out there under 3k, Schitt and Benchmark come to mind

would that be my starting point to really gear a significant upgrade from my Node?

any recommendations below 3k to achieve this?

thanks in advance

audiocanada12-21-2021 12:02am

johnfritter Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 62 posts 12-22-2021 at 01:53am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete +1 for the Pontus II!
mahler123 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,024 posts 12-22-2021 at 11:37am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete My guess is $500 will start to show an audible improvement. Remember the Node cost around that for both a streamer/DAC. I have heard the Node paired with a CA DAC Magic, which is long in the tooth for a DAC and goes for around $500, and with the Cambridge there was a notable boost.
jl35 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,913 posts 12-22-2021 at 02:40pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete the actual source matters too...I would hesitate to go much beyond a Denafrips Ares ll with the Node before I looked at a new streamer...the Node can only get you so far...I have the Ares ll and it is quite good...