There will always be listeners who embrace the latest and supposedly greatest. But new technology only succeeds when it represents a paradigm shift for the average buyer and becomes the new standard for everything else. 78->LP LP->CD VHS->DVD Tube TV-> Flat Screen. Quad LP ? HDCD/SACD/DVD-A ? 3D TV, Curved screens ? All fell flat. With regard to sonics, technologies like SACD and DVD-A are wonderful, with a demonstrable improvement vs 16/44 CD, but the later was enough for the general buyer, and both SACD and DVD-A are essentially dead.
Incremental and marginal improvements are not enough to cause buyers to invest in new technology. With MQA you have to invest in both MQA software, and MQA compliant hardware. While there is a vigorous debate regarding the sonic merits of MQA, all parties agree that the only current beneficiary is the patent holder. You have to pay to play.
As to the original post. I have a Node 2. I am aware of its deficiencies compared to higher end digital boxes. But the Note 2 (and 2i) are better than their price points would indicate, punching far above their weight as the British would say. However, both are improved by connection to an outboard DAC, which can represent a significant additional expense. This begs the question of why not seek a streamer/DAC box of higher quality, instead of shuffling through external DACs (another box....) to find a good combination ? There are several higher end, and high end stream boxes with incredible on board DACs available...and some of them are MQA compliant for what that is worth.
Incremental and marginal improvements are not enough to cause buyers to invest in new technology. With MQA you have to invest in both MQA software, and MQA compliant hardware. While there is a vigorous debate regarding the sonic merits of MQA, all parties agree that the only current beneficiary is the patent holder. You have to pay to play.
As to the original post. I have a Node 2. I am aware of its deficiencies compared to higher end digital boxes. But the Note 2 (and 2i) are better than their price points would indicate, punching far above their weight as the British would say. However, both are improved by connection to an outboard DAC, which can represent a significant additional expense. This begs the question of why not seek a streamer/DAC box of higher quality, instead of shuffling through external DACs (another box....) to find a good combination ? There are several higher end, and high end stream boxes with incredible on board DACs available...and some of them are MQA compliant for what that is worth.