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Streamer/DAC combo or stand alone DAC with Node2?

greetings,

I am looking to complete/upgrade my hifi setup and would appreciate divergent thoughts on the topic.  

System:  McIntosh MA252 Hybrid, Spendor D7, Node 2 for Tidal.
Budget:  Anything under $3000.
Based in Belgium with a journey to the States in the summer.

I listen to Tidal 95% of the time. The Node2 is fine, but is now the weak link in my system.   I've heard the Chord DAVE and the Qutest, both good.  I found Mytek LIberty and Brooklyn + to not do much beyond the Node. Surprising.  

As I pretty much only use Tidal and will never use a computer or Roon etc., I want one more box to either improve the Node2 or replace it.  I don't want to open up the MQA debate, bit it would be nice to have a MQA capable device.

Suggestions please. 
alchemyman
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
211 posts
 
@alcechemyman

as a side note, I see your speakers are the D7s. What size room are you using them in and how do you like them? Maybe I should have messaged you privately...feel free to respond to reply in private so we don’t go into a tangent.
theo's avatar
theo
2,331 posts
 
Alchemyman, I will be curious to see what your thoughts are. I tried 4 different DACs before deciding and the first couple hours had me committed. I am using a Audio Research Ref5se and contacted Audio Research as to what output setting and if there might be a concern of overload, and they said that 3v was no issue. But they went on to add that the Chord products were well respected and that I should experiment on 1,2 or 3 to establish the best sound. Right now I am using 2 and find it sounds so good I see no reason to experiment. I just ordered a new Synergistic Research cable and should have it later this week. I had been using a Kimber AGDL but wanted to get 75ohms.
Again let me know what your experience are with the Cutest.
alchemyman OP
10 posts
 
@theo 
I read an interesting post from Rob Watts, lead designer at Chord, on Head-Fi. He essentially said, try the different voltages and if you don't hear a difference, don't worry about it. I don't know beans about electronice so the subjective approach is good enough for me.

theo's avatar
theo
2,331 posts
 
I would imagine it is system dependent as to the results. But I figured Audio Research had some experience for them to include it in their answer. I will try it sometime, but to busy listening for now.
mahler123
633 posts
 
OP
i am surprised that you didn’t find the Brooklyn to be an improvement over the DAC in the Node2.  I have found the Manhatten, the Bryston DAC3, the Oppo 105, and the PS Audio Digital Link III to be significant upgrades over the Node2 DAC
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