Tried futzing with variable output mode on the Node 2 and resetting to max 0db, but no dice, was already at max. Anyway, ended up getting decently close on figuring out comparative levels across two sources to compare sounds going back and forth.
Impressions of the Auralic Aries via USB after a decent amount of weekend time (Aries was acquired used, so assume already decently broken in). I should admit upfront that I had a bias until recently that most devices outputting & receiving 1s and 0s should do an equivalent job, because "hey, if my HDD on a cheap PC can manage to copy a file to another HDD and not introduce corruption over a $5 cable, how hard can this be?." Lesson learned:
- Out of the gate: greater overall dynamics
- Wider and more defined soundstage – instruments all feel like they got yanked a little bit left and right, in some cases almost to the outside of speaker. And those voices/instruments between are more defined in space.
- More detail – mids, and especially highs... more decay + soundstage provides a greater sense of air around the instruments and vocals are much easier to separate (e.g., listened to a decent bit of Dave Rawlings Machine, and Gillian Welch providing backup vocals on these tracks is now oh-so-much-more noticeable and distinct from Dave Rawling's voice. Startingly so!)
- On tracks I know quite feel, am noticing new details and more engaged with the rhythms
I guess I'm a bit blown away that a changer in streamer could be this impactful. I've gone back and forth with the Node 2 all weekend, and at this point its digital out just seems relatively flat and shrouded. No going back. Also, I feel a bit silly, but it appears I'v been underutilizing the 2Qute for the past 2 years – I had no idea there was this much incremental magic in it going from Node 2 over Toslink to the Aries over USB. I've really liked the 2Qute + Supernait 2 combo before, but now I feel like the digital side has taken a step-change leap – very, very fun.
