Decent DAC/Streamer


My current system has two potential weak links.

The first is my DAC through which I play ripped CDs (my primary medium). It is a Schiit Modi 2 Uber. To be honest, I don't really perceive any issues with it. It approximates played CDs fairly well.

The second is my streaming set up. Currently Amazon Music (so no hi-rez) via Apple TV to the Schiit via optical. There are noticeable SQ issues here that I think have more to do with the Apple TV than the file size from Amazon.

So I'm wondering about a DAC/Streamer combo. The Node2i certainly comes to mind and if it is likely to be an improvement over Apple TV AND its DAC would be superior to the Schiit Modi them it would probably be the lowest price solution.  

I've also seen the Oppo Sonica (now discontinued) for sale in the $850-$1000 range and wondering about its DAC and ease of use with an iphone or laptop.

Open to other ideas but would say my potential future budget (there are currently _zero_ funds available) would be under $1000.
n80
My node2i has one mini optical in. I wish people wouldn’t make repeated assertions about equipment they don’t use....

To OP, I can relate to your budget limitations. 

Although the node 2 was easy to use, it got some bad reviews for its sound quality.  The dac in the $500 2i is improved from that in the node 2 it replaced. It’s not the best dac ive heard (for $300 or $400 you can now get a fantastic sounding outboard dac that will convert even MQA) but to my ear it sounds better on its own than when I played it through my Schiit Modi (they call their newest Modi just a Modi, not modi 3) which is supposed to be better than the Modi 2 Uber (but I never had one).  That is not saying much though.  I’m not very impressed with the modi.  I have two different inexpensive wi-fi devices with internal DACs that sound far better than the Modi: One is an old Gramofon that I got on eBay for 20 bucks.  The Gramofon plays Spotify connect as good as $1000 DACs I’ve heard converting sonos.  The Gramofon does not however play airplay. (The Airplay aspect of Apple TV use is another story and is also part of your current sound quality problem).  The other is this inexpensive Klipsch WiFi bridge gizmo:

Klipsch 1063275 Gate Playfi Gateway Wireless Multi–Room Hub

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M5B793S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ITFFCbA4Y015E

This thing is like an Apple airport express (not a router) but designed specifically for audio.   It sounds way better than Apple TV - which I regrettably used for years hooked straight into the optical port of my amp, not through the tv.  I also tried Apple airport express, which was a slight improvement over Apple TV but still pretty bad, and Chromecast.  (Chromecast audio puck is a non-starter, i tried one and I agree it sounds wretched and cannot be fixed by a dac or reclocker - I tried).  Anyway, the SQ from the Klipsch is a little different but about as good (I think) as from my node2i.  I feel sort of foolish saying this but the $35 gizmo sounds as good as the $500 toy.  Others agree.  I will add that I have played amazon music through my node 2i and it worked fine but have not tried it with the Klipsch gizmo.  It’s playfi so I’m assuming it works. 

Something to think about might be what you’re going to use the set up for.  If you’re not playing a lot of your own files off your computer or network drive (which the node does quite nicely) and just using service(s) you can improve SQ pretty inexpensively.  My view, and YMMV, you have to spend more than a grand on a good WiFi/streamer/server/dac setup to get significant improvement in SQ over one of the above <$40 approaches.    






The Arcam rPlay would be a good all-in-one solution for you. It is, in fact, a DAC (@sfar) but does not have wired digital inputs, only wireless (hence streamer) inputs.   I’d look out for one used!
I have the Klipsch Gate and really like it. Sold both my node 2 and 2i as I didnt care much for the user interface or the sound quality.
My wife uses it for her Amazon music and I use it for Qobuz and Tidal. For $30 its a pretty good deal. Only thing I dont care for is the 3.5 mm out. So I ordered the Powergate which is $150 but has bluetooth, more idigital and analog inputs and rca outputs along with ethernet connection. I will most likely not use the 100 wpc hypex class d amp section.