DAC’s and streaming equipments upgrade

[Birdy]

Hi Ascend community,

I’m having my afternoon coffee and got some free time to test different equipments I recently purchased. I’m not a crazy critical listener but I like to share my thoughts. Lately I was looking for DAC’s & streamers to pair with my newly upgraded system, Sierra 2EX and Willsenton R8 tube amp. Out of curiosity, I decided to AB test Topping D90, Bluesound Node 2i, Schiit Modi 3, so a range of tiers I’ve considered and wanted to hear how big of a difference it sounded.

For the song, I played Chantel Chamberland Basame Muncho and random tracks in the album, something I enjoy listening to using Tidal Hifi & Spotify premium. The Modi was the less favorable of course, but it’s affordable, had an acceptable and meaty full sound. The Node, I heard about the friendly user interface and a neat little minimalist lifestyle component intrigues me. So comparing to the D90, Node had harsher highs, thinner voice, and music felt mushed up. The D90 was another level! I used Bluetooth to stream with the D90, so I can AB quickly with a phone. I heard refinement! Chantel Chamberland has a smokey voice that the D90 emphasized better with detailed, smoothness, warmth and airy vocal. There were better vocals and instrumental separations, easily defined and where I wasn’t hearing from the others. Music had a dark and dynamic sound. The bass had a nice thump like hearing a quick and tight heartbeat.

Overall, my goal is to bring out the potential of the Sierra 2EX with a budget friendly system and tailor the system to my taste. I realized after upgrading to a tube amplifier, how important is to have a strong and synchronized front end components. I think the Topping D90 non MQA version is a keeper at $800, $200 more than the Bluesound Node 2i and well worth the extra refinement. Also, detail matters a lot when I listen to lows volumes at night. I like a strong seductive airy whisper sound, music separations with light tight thumping bass. The bluetooth on the D90 is just as good and simple to use as the Node BluOS interface. I don’t see the purpose to having a separate streamer device. I heard a Tidal Connect was coming out so I can use my phone to control my laptop as a remote like Spotify. A laptop connected to the D90 has a more superior sound than bluetooth. I may return the Node or possibly it’s going to my second system with the Sierra 1’s that I upgraded from. The Schiit Mode 3 is affordable enough to keep and continue playing with. To me music is like wine tasting, it’s all subjective, you have to AB test for yourself to hear the difference, pick out the sound of your liking, and refine your taste through the audio building journey.