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Seeking DAC Advice for a Secondary Two Channel System

I have a secondary two channel audio system in my home office consisting of an NAD 326BEE integrated amp, Dynaudio Excite X14 speakers and a single REL T5x subwoofer.  While I also have a Rega RP3 turntable and an NAD CD player, I mainly just use this as a digital system.  I use Roon with an Innuos Mk.3 as my Roon Core and a Bluesound Node 2i as a streamer/endpoint.  When streaming I use Tidal and Quobuz.  Occasionally I stream with Spotify which I do directly from the Bluos app because of the lack of compatibility with Roon.  Music preferences are rock, Americana, folk, soul/R&B and some electronic music.

I want to see if I can upgrade the sound and am operating under the assumption that the Node is my weakest link.  It has been suggested to me that one option would be to buy an external DAC and bypass the DAC imbedded in the Node. Alternatively I could replace the Node altogether.  I think my budget is around $500 but I don't know what I don't know.  I would also hope whatever piece of equipment I buy is somewhat small in size.  I don't have a lot of room on my rack to spare.

I would greatly appreciate any thoughts/suggestions this board might have on this quest.

Thanks in advance.

@puppyt

puppyt
yyzsantabarbara
5,582 posts
 

I owned the following Schiit Yggi+ DACs - LIM | MIB | OG | Singular. I loved the OG and the Singular. The Singular  is comparable to my imersiv D-1 DAC. The D-1 is one of the best at any price and the Singular has similar detail though not as good as the D-1, but close. 

The best bang for buck DACs is the Schiit ones. Even my $150 Mesh DAC option on my Schiit AsgardX headphone amp are really good. This is what I have in my headphone amp.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA  ($99)

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA a bit more cash but supposed to sound like the more expensive Yggi+ MIB DAC.

I can also recommend a used RME ADI-2 DAC for about $500 used. It is not as good as the MIB | OG | Singular but it is rather good and what I use in the office. I no longer use the Schiit DACs because I need DSD and Schiit does not do DSD.

 

 

 

 

 

lanx0003
1,991 posts
 

Higher end Topping starting from D90 like D90 III Discrete.

Laiv Micro Dac is pretty solid choice too. 

zlone
1,397 posts
 

Schiit, Gustard, Denafrips, Topping all make decent products close to your price range. Shop used, but don’t buy something that is too old. The Innuos is a good streamer, no need for an upgrade there. I think you could definitely get a decent sound upgrade from an external dac. I recommend spending a little bit on a decent usb cable, they do make a difference. 

puppyt OP
110 posts
 

I really appreciate these suggestions. Based on the comments received so far and other research I have done I’m thinking I should up my budget a little bit. 
 

@puppyt 

elliottbnewcombjr
7,864 posts
 

"I don’t know what I don’t know."

exactly, me too.

Based on recommendations here, I bought a simple Topping DAC for streaming from my PC USB to DAC, it’s RCA out to my office system. now $110. Only DAC I have owned, sounds great to me. Certainly good enough for my office where I am streaming while otherwise occupied, real listening happens elsewhere.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F54TT79?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4

Amazon has free returns. I suggest you time your 30 day return period of one of these with any other more expensive DAC, so you can appreciate the difference (if any) between a ’basic dac’ and ’better’.

I’m not saying it won’t sound better, rather that you will KNOW it. Or not.

Good, Better, Best is one way of thinking. I tend to think ’Preferred’.

 

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