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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
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
jeenam
80 posts
 
I recently purchased a Node 2 to act as a streaming device to output digital signal to a NAD M51 DAC. Once I return home from vacation and get the Node 2 hooked up I'll report back on my experience.

I fully expect, based on feedback across various forums, that the NAD M51 DAC will handily best the internal DAC of the Node 2.
alchemyman OP
10 posts
 
@mahler123 

It's possible this was because of the system, but even when listening closely and the dealer was telling me he was switching I could not hear much difference. For 2K, i need more than  that.  Even thirty seconds with the Qutest was enough to hear an obvious difference. 
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