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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
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. 
alchemyman OP
10 posts
 
@theo 

Everyone who has a solid state amp has told me it does not matter as well.
djones51
617 posts
 
The node2i according to their marketing uses newer tricke down technology from the NAD masters 50.2 which is one of the differences between the 2 and 2i but it does use the same dac as the  node2. I have never heard the node2 but the 2i sounds great to my ears. 
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