Haven't heard either, but on the surface it appears that the Sonica is a significant step up (latest generation Sabre chip, handles higher resolution formats, fully balanced design) while the Node 2 is being marketed as a step up from MP3 and somehow only weighs 2.5 pounds. But the Node 2 has headphone output and is MQA compliant, which may or may not be important to customers. (I've briefly auditioned Tidal cuts with/without MQA from a Node 1 at a friend's place and wasn't impressed.)
I've read a mixed bag of user comments with numerous problems on the Node 2 with connectivity (speciality computer applications, like audio, scare the crap out of me). Both suffer from dependance on tablet or smartphone to control. Where oh where is a real modern replacement for the elegant Squeeze Box Duet with handheld controller?
Balanced design, hard drive direct input, and having stereo RCA outputs for running stereo subwoofers are important features to me. But what scares me about Oppo is that they recently discontinued the HA-1 (DAC/preamp/headphone amp) with no warning, so what will factory support be like?
