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Have had all the releases currently on their site and a few others as well.  The only one that impresses is their cheapie (the R300 brandy cask finish). Currently loving my latest bottle opened too much (a single cask Marsala finish Ledaig) and now must find some more on the auctions.  :'(

Have compared the iPad (digital out) vs Macbook vs streamer. Easy win for the streamer.  Buy the Ifi - it is much better value than the Bluesound.  Then just throw on a little DAC and you are well ahead of where you were.

Ares arrived today.  Rather enjoying it already.  Don't really want to hear the Pontus.  Well my bank account doesn't at least.  Had done a demo on my system with an Ares previously - makes such a difference not to be buying blind.  Love the sound.

Price?

Thanks for the response.  The reviews are what are made me ask for a demo - not sure it will be to my taste and have tried the Ares 2 in my system and was a fan.  So probably leaning towards the Denefrips route rather than having the issues of buying, trying, then reselling and buying...

Any chance of a demo?

Making my decision paralysis on my new DAC even worse.  :walled:

Once you get used to them they are brilliant.  The first time driving was an adventure to get out of the parking lot. 

Gear testing would be a good idea.  Node, Schiit, aura pre-amp, parasound power amp, Maggie's.  All cables and interconnects Chord.  Power cables from Croak.  Terrible room.  But as I like the place that's not going to change. 

I hate the Tidal app.  Thus use the Bluesound app to control Tidal. 

I have been the Theta fan for many years, was very pleased to discover Mike Moffat was back making DACs so bought a Modi Multibit (cheap $249 DAC) off the forum.  Was very impressed with it and it replaced the Theta.  Slightly less smooth (for want of a better description) on CD's but could deal...

When you are next in JHB just shout. Ok - Stu and I agreed on both pretty much on everything. Node2i (without external DAC) - terrible.  It is improved by the power supply mod, but it is harsh on the high notes and muddy on the lower notes. Listened to three tracks AB.  Keith don't go (very...

Stu has been busy with race prep (has a race next weeked) and I have been busy with month end.  So not running according to schedule.  However he is coming through to my place on friday so we are going to try the shootout on my system (the most relaxed set of Maggies you have ever heard).  Will...

That is the only song of theirs that I know, but love it. The new ABBA songs are good, but not great (to me).  Lifelong fan though.

Airplay (Apple) vs in app (Tidal) = easy win for Tidal, but that isn't an A/B as airplay is likely the issue.  As much as I am an Apple fan (watch, phone, ipad, mbp etc), their bloody minded refusal to integrate with anything other than their own equipment is frustrating to say the least. On...

Don't take it off.  Just go for an aggressive eye roll and say something along the line of 'If you can't hear the difference then I can't help you'.  Most of our friends already think we are daft spending what we do on our hobby, so this will be won't be too far out of character. 

Denefrips Ares 2 will be the DAC it's tested on. Stu's comment (he is a member here) is that in a non A/B test (he borrowed the Node for a few weeks before the power supply upgrade), that he couldn't hear much between them at all when he bought the Zen a few days later. Even if they are evenly...

Friend has the Zen Stream, we have been muttering that we must compare it to the Node.  Shall be interesting.  Will report back once it is done.

Went with the Polish option (the 430PLN one).  Even easier than the guide shows.  Definite improvement as a pure streamer with a better soundstage.  Tried the internal dac as well and that improves even more, but is still average at best. https://pd-cf.com/product-category/bluesound-node-2-en/...

Hijacking your topic - upgraded the power supply on the Node 2i (I only use it for streaming, use an external DAC) after reading a few things online.  Makes a noticeable difference for a minimal outlay (went with one of the cheaper options).