Go easy on me guys, I'm just sharing an experience that works effortlessly for me, which is a priority, and sounds like for the OP. I've got a current version Node and love the ease of use and feature set. After reading Amir's review, I bought an SMSL M400 DAC to make up for the measured "issues" by just using it as a streamer and leaving DAC duties to the M400. I also upped my Tidal subscription to MQA since I now had the hardware to do it. Must note, I'm 65, so that's got to be a reality in my experience. After living with it for a few months, I came to the subjective conclusion that I couldn't tell when the DAC was online or when I was listening to MQA. I sold the DAC and lowered my Tidal subscription to Hi Fi. So I'm back to my original one box solution, into my amp, that's it. I love the minimal nature of it. My point is, for $600 I love what my Node does, how it sounds and it's new top panel that makes is SO easy to use. I know that there's not a big Node fanbase here, but it answers the OP's needs, I think. He can always get a great tiny DAC with Amir's approval for minimal $... if he insists... lol.
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