Upgrade from BluNode 2i with a new DAC or Integrated Streamer DAC?

I’m your age and did what you’re thinking about a few years ago. I also sold my vinyl system and now stream exclusively. First, don’t doubt your hearing ability unless your Dr. has told you otherwise. While I know I don’t hear as well as I did when I was younger, I have also found that learning what to listen for has enhanced my listening experience considerably. For your budget, step one as pointed out already will probably be upgrading the DAC and then if budget allows also upgrading the power supply for your Node. Next for me was another DAC upgrade. At that point, I think you’ll find a very nice improvement over what you hear now and for many will be all they need. Whether you go further as I have and many here have will require a much more significant investment. I think a better DAC will also cure much of the listening fatigue you currently experience.

At your price point I’d recommend looking at the Denafrips Pontus II DAC as it will greatly reduce your listening fatigue and provide significant performance benefits across the board. Also, it’s been well documented that adding a LPS to a Node also provides a very worthwhile performance boost so I’d definitely put that on the list for down the road. Last, adding a DDC (like the Denafrips Iris) before the Pontus to take advantage of its i2S input will get you another significant performance boost if you feel like going that far, but at least the option is there. Hope this helps, and best of luck.

More good suggestions from siox.  Coincidently my 2nd DAC was the Pontus II after the Ares II.  I also upgraded the power supply on my Node with a LPS.  Going that route or something similar will be a huge improvement over what you currently are using for streaming. 

@soix 

+1

Fatigue can come from both streamer and DAC. Your hearing can’t be too bad or you would not be experiencing fatigue. At your investment level there is much to be gained from improvements in both streamer and DAC. 
 

Upgrades will improve all aspects of sound, so while your hearing may be rolled off at the top there is the rest of the audio spectrum that you can hear. 

Any opinion on the Matrix Audio X Sabre PRO?  How would might it compare to the Denefrips Pontus II.