Has Anyone Compared the DAC On a Bluesound NODE 3rd Gen to a Separate DAC?

Thx for the ideas!  

The audio store where I bought some of my equipment suggested a miniDSP DDRC-24 DAC / Room Correction Processor; D/A Converter; DDRC24.  So that’s why I was thinking of a DAC.
But I would guess that the limitations on my room and other equipment would make a high end DAC a waste of money, like putting a Ferrari engine in a Subaru.  Nice, but they don’t match.

As people upgrade, used Ares come up frequently here and on USAM. Little risk 
trying one. I have a Pontus II and have no desire to upgrade. You may find the
Ares a perfect fit for you. I have no experience with Topping, but some here
like their gear.

Instead of Pontus II you could also get Musician Pegasus which is basically almost the same as Pontus II. It was my previous DAC and it was a really competent DAC and nothing else came close at that price point. 

"But I would guess that the limitations on my room and other equipment would make a high end DAC a waste of money, like putting a Ferrari engine in a Subaru.  Nice, but they don’t match."

Poor analogy in this case.  Based on your existing room and equipment, I'd bet you hear a significant improvement with either DAC you mention.

I have a node 2i. Am considering upgrading my dac. But really not sure if it will yield signifcant improvement or subtle differences where the latter may not exactly justify the price point. Have been looking at the Ares II which is sold locally. Its said to be more analog and has gotten rave reviews. However, I already have a schiitt freya + tube amp running with a class D XTZ A2300 which gives a slightly  warm feel. Speakers are Klipsch RP  6000f which has been tamed down a little with the current combo. So not sure if Ares II will make it even more warm, and result in a loss of details.  Anyone has experiences with a similar combo with the Ares II as a dac to the node2i.  Will the Ares II provide an audible difference as a dac to the node? Appreciate your thoughts.