Auralic Aries Mini or Bluesound Node 2?

+1 with ghosthouse, also a Mini user here and I really like the Lightning DS app but if you need Roon then the Mini is out. Lots of good feedback here on the Bluesound Node2 not sure if it can be a Roon endpoint but I'm sure someone will chime in. All said from my own experiences and reading these two units seem pretty comparable sound quality wise with slightly different feature sets. I would however not use either of these units from their analog outputs a solid outboard Dac is a must for good sound.

Thanks for the replies,

I guess I don’t have to have Roon if the DS Lightning SW accomplishes what I need and that is to have some sort of management of all of my music wherever it is being streamed or local and being easily accessible via our devices (mostly iPhones/iPads). I’ll be hooking either up to the Yamaha via coaxial so the Yamahas DACs will be taking over. I like that fact I can install a HD in the Mini if needed. That would save me a connection/cable. My setup is modest, playing through some 90s KEF Reference Model 2s so I’m sure I’m splitting hairs here. If my Yamaha handled Tidal and it had a rear USB port, I probably wouldn’t be considering either of these.

I see a lot of folks here like the Bluesound and haven’t seen much mention of the Mini.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

Haha - I can blame jon for owning the Aries Mini :-)  He's the one that made me aware of it.  Audio Advisor was selling them at the time with a year of Tidal.  They have a 30 day return policy too, so no real risk there.  I think I agree with Jon recommending an outboard DAC.  I tried using the Mini with the internal DAC.  I didn't think it sounded that good.  Even outputting to the Gungnir, it was only when I put the V-Link USB/SPDIF converter in between that the sound quality took a big step forward. Not sure why that should be the case but it was and not in a subtle way.   Power supply is another variable you can obsess about.  Good luck.

(Underwood HiFi has the Aries Mini at a slight discount right now).

Yes, I don’t understand why the sound improved in your setup by adding the V-Link into the mix? Wouldn’t just going straight coaxial out of the mini to your DAC be the same as USB being converted?

The fact that the Mini’s power supply can be upgraded is a plus. Have either of you upgraded there? I didn't see any discount on the Mini at Underwood HiFi. I have found it for $450 shipped elsewhere.

@asahitoro I upgraded the power supply of my Mini with the Sbooster power supply which I picked up from Acoustic Sounds, it was around $350 as I remember made a huge difference. I personally go straight to my Dac from the Mini my Dac is an Audio Note Dac-3 Signature. Everyone's setup is different and ghosthouse preferred his with the v-link it all depends on system synergy at the end of the day.