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Ok, so having recently sorted out my amp and speaker issues, I'm keen to upgrade the next weak link in my system. My System comprises Spatial Hologram M4 Turbo S, Moon 340i DP2x amplifier with built in DAC and the rather weak Sonos Connect. Most of my listening is done on Tidal HiFi and Spotify premium but I have some Hi Res stuff on a NAS that I want to listen to and want to build a better collection of quality local files. Trying to work out how/where to spend the $$$'s for the best ROI in SQ. I want to be able to run Roon but i've made it this far without so it could wait a little longer if there was a better value proposition out there. Bluesound node 2 / 2i: Reading about the 2i there are significant improvements to SQ over the 2 but will these be noticeable if I'm using the DAC on the Moon or an external DAC like the Chord Qutest? Would this result in a significant improvement over the Sonos when just using Spotify/Tidal or will these benefits only be obvious when using HiRes files and MQA? Does Bluesound Node have ability to adjust balance? my room is asymetric and I don't have balance controls on my amp so one speaker always sounds a little louder than the other. Cambridge Audio CXN: I love the form factor of this streamer but it doesn't have MQA although that's not really a deal breaker for me, just a nice to have. Is it a waste of money to buy this when the DAC in the Moon is likely better than the CXN? Alternatively do I keep the Sonos and upgrade the DAC further to the Chord Qutest? I have listened to the Qutest quite a lot with several systems including my old Peachtree Nova which is currently winging it's way to its new owner, but I haven't been able to do a direct comparison with the DAC on the Moon. I'm loving the sound from my system now but hankering after a little more resolution and detail retrieval. The Qutest is tempting but funds are limited due to the recent amp upgrade, Node 2 looks like it does everything I need, don't mind buying a 2i new if it means better detail retrieval through my onboard DAC. CXN doesn't seem like a good value proposition but it looks awesome and does most of what I need. Your thoughts, ideas, opinions and alternatives are welcome. Cheers, Brendon.

Further information: This has been my beloved CD player for many years and works beautifully with my Audio Research VT100 Valve Amplifier and LS25 Line Stage. This CD player can be used as a high quality Transport if you have your own better quality DAC with optical, coax or AES/EBU input. The unit is 240V and does not require a transformer. I have compared the balance and non-balanced outputs in my system and prefer the balanced option. Your preamplifier and amplifier must both have this input for the benefit to be noticable. Selling due to an upgrade to a Consonance Droplet CD player. After market remote is included. The original box is long gone. Prefer local pickup but willing to post for full cost of postage and protective packing if you are not in Melbourne. A reasonable donation will be made to Stereonet on successful sale. No audition possible at the moment due to current lockdown restrictions in Melbourne. Product Description from Audio Research Website: The CD2 is a versatile CD player that offers the function and output options of a digital transport as well as the convenience of a complete single-chassis CD player. Performance is exceptional when used in either mode. The CD2 uses a rugged CD-rom transport mechanism and laser assembly to accurately read the digital data on compact discs. The digital data-stream is then decoded by a bitstream D/A differential (balanced) decoder capable of 20-bit resolution. The resulting analog signal is subsequently fed to a fully differential, direct-coupled analog output stage using both J-FET and bipolar transistors and regulated supplies. The CD2 includes extensive internal engineering dedicated to the control of mechanical resonances potentially affecting the performance of active circuit components. Consequently, the CD2 has even less measurable jitter than its predecessor models, the CD1/CDT1, which were industry leaders in this important aspect. The CD2 provides exceptional musical resolution from CD sources-smooth, harmonically rich, dynamic output with remarkable retrieval of ambient and dimensional detail. Full handheld IR remote control of all functions is included; essential functions are manually accessible by pushbuttons on the front panel. All functions are described in detail in the CD2 Owner's Manual. ANALOG OUTPUTS Balanced XLR 4.2V RMS (+12.5dBv) max. Single-Ended RCA 2.1V RMS (+6dBv) max. OUTPUT IMPEDANCE 350 ohms BAL, 175 ohms SE. FREQUENCY RESPONSE 0.1-20,000Hz ± 0.2dB S/N RATIO 96dBA DISTORTION -90dB (.003%) 1kHz CHANNEL SEPARATION 100dB 1kHz RESOLUTION - DIGITAL OUTPUTS 1. XLR Balanced AES/EBU 110-ohm 4V P-P. 2. BNC coax SPDIF 75-ohm 0.7V P-P. 3. TOSLINK fiber optical-19dBm, 660nm. 4. (Optional) ST-type glass fiber optical -12dBm 875nm, 62.5/125µm fibers. SIGNAL FORMAT Sampling frequency: 44.1kHz. Quantization Bit: 16bit linear per channel. Channel bit rate: 4.3218Mb/sec. Channel modulation code: EFM (8-14 modulation). Error correction: CIRC (cross interleave Reed Solomon code). DRIVE MECHANISM Wow & flutter: Unmeasurable (Quartz stability). Discs: Accepts 5" (12cm) and 3" (8cm) sizes. OPTICAL PICKUP Type: 3-beam LDGU (Laser Diode & Grating Unit) with holographic diffraction light pen. Laser: GaAIAs semiconductor, 780 nm, 0.5mW max output. Servo: Digitally controlled low-inertia linear positioning actuator. JITTER REDUCTION High-stability crystal-controlled re-clocking for all outputs POWER REQUIREMENTS 100-135VAC 60Hz (200-270VAC 50/60Hz), 20 watts maximum. (12 watts standby) OTHER Phase linearity:±0.5° 20-20,000kHz. Detachable power cord. DIMENSIONS 19" (48 cm) W x 5 ¼" (13.4 cm) H (standard rack panel) x 11 ¾" (29.8 cm) D. Handles extend 1 ½" (3.8 cm) forward of the front panel. Rear connectors extend ¾" (1.9cm). WEIGHT 17 lbs. (7.7 kg) Net; 27 lbs. (12.3 kg) Shipping. Photos: PLEASE READ If you include any reference to pricing whatsoever in this section (excluding RRP), your ad will not be approved If you are advertising multiple items, you must post one bulk price only, or post seperate ads for each item If you don't include photographs of the actual item being sold, your ad will not be approved You understand that a reasonable donation for selling fees is expected upon successful sale of your item - if you have previously sold items and not made a donation, your advertisement may not be approved.

Item: Vecteur D - 2.2 Digital Transport with AudioCom Superclock mod & Bybee Quantum Purifiers on All Neg & Pos Transformer Outputs & Silver Bybee on Digital Output Location: Melbourne Price: cost $2400AU, sell $1090 - Buyer pays postage Item Condition: Very Good, Cosmetic 8/10 Reason for selling: Not in use Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal Extra Info: Can audition if local. Reviews of previous lesser model: http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0501/vecteurd2.htm Pictures: