I suspect you may have a hard time discerning an audio difference between the Bluesound (as a transport) and a more expensive piece of equipment. A few years ago I placed a Bluesound Node (first edition with the weird angles) in my system, and ran it through several DACs I had at hand. We also hooked up a Mac mini as a source (spdif out); we could hear no difference between the transports. Same with 16/44.1 files wirelessly streaming to an Apple TV or an Airport Express. Nada.
The sonic differences between the DACs, however, was perceptible. The DACs all sounded unique, and, depending on the source file, some sounded better with certain source material than others.
I cannot afford a Brooklyn, but from what I have read it is a well regarded DAC. Maybe if I had a better DAC it would reveal the shortcomings of my digital transports, but I suspect even then the differences would be barely perceptible. I listened to a Bluesound Vault 2 through an all BAT electronics chain (including a Rex DAC) and Wilson speakers, and it sounded glorious! I just sat their dumfounded as the music carried me away. No thought of equipment. Just music.
If I was in your (enviable) position, I would hold on to the Vault for a while and try out some different DACs. I really like the Schiit Multibit DACs (owned both a Modi MB and a Bifrost MB; I kept the Mimby and sold the Bimby). If you can get your hands on one, you might want to try a higher end Schiit MB, or a Holo Springs or Denefrips R2R. Maybe won’t be your cup of tea, but it will definitely be a different flavor. Maybe the Manhattan would be a big improvement. I don’t know. You will be spending some serious cash getting a better DAC than what you already have, but something different can be had without breaking the bank.
The sonic differences between the DACs, however, was perceptible. The DACs all sounded unique, and, depending on the source file, some sounded better with certain source material than others.
I cannot afford a Brooklyn, but from what I have read it is a well regarded DAC. Maybe if I had a better DAC it would reveal the shortcomings of my digital transports, but I suspect even then the differences would be barely perceptible. I listened to a Bluesound Vault 2 through an all BAT electronics chain (including a Rex DAC) and Wilson speakers, and it sounded glorious! I just sat their dumfounded as the music carried me away. No thought of equipment. Just music.
If I was in your (enviable) position, I would hold on to the Vault for a while and try out some different DACs. I really like the Schiit Multibit DACs (owned both a Modi MB and a Bifrost MB; I kept the Mimby and sold the Bimby). If you can get your hands on one, you might want to try a higher end Schiit MB, or a Holo Springs or Denefrips R2R. Maybe won’t be your cup of tea, but it will definitely be a different flavor. Maybe the Manhattan would be a big improvement. I don’t know. You will be spending some serious cash getting a better DAC than what you already have, but something different can be had without breaking the bank.