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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 

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. 
alchemyman OP
10 posts
 
@djones51 
I was lamenting to my dealer yesterday the fact that six months later my Node 2 is replaced by the 2i.  He claims he's heard it and there is no difference.  I reckon he said it to make me feel better.  Many reviews have intimated there is an improvement in sonic quality.
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
211 posts
 
I don't see how there could be sonic differences between the 2 and 2i.  They use identical DACs and the only differences are connectivity options.
canibefrank
104 posts
 
as much as I would like a R2R DAC
the NAD C658 checks most of the boxes and would be way more useful for a lad of limited means such as moi
the ESS chip... is that "better" than the flagship AKM?
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