I've never heard of the Node2ci as far as I know there is only the Node2i
Another streaming newbie
Guys, I have tried to search and figure this out, because I know this topic has been well-covered. But I am still wandering in the dark, so plz forgive my redundant questions....
First, here's my current rig,: I built a Lenco table 15 yrs ago with a JMW 10 arm/London Super Gold that I run into a phono pre that I built from a pretty high end kit (can't see the name, have no idea what it is now!) thru a VTL tube IT-85 integrated amp and then thru some SF Electa Amator II, supported by a sub I built. So pretty mid-fi setup, but it really works for me. Sounds great, to my ears.
The Covid thing has me home (no golf in Los Angeles!), listening to music more. Would love to stream something that approaches the vinyl sound quality with a music service, but being retired, budget is more a concern now... I just subscribed to TIDAL with its premium level (MQA) that I was running straight from my iphone 6 to the VTL. Meh. Then my daughter ran same stuff through her iphone 11 and, hey, that sounded better. So, clearly, I am in need of a streaming DAC.
I know MQA gets mixed reviews. I have no way really to test this or to go listen to stuff. Everything is shut down here. So here's the criteria that matters most to me:
Thanks for your input. Chuck
First, here's my current rig,: I built a Lenco table 15 yrs ago with a JMW 10 arm/London Super Gold that I run into a phono pre that I built from a pretty high end kit (can't see the name, have no idea what it is now!) thru a VTL tube IT-85 integrated amp and then thru some SF Electa Amator II, supported by a sub I built. So pretty mid-fi setup, but it really works for me. Sounds great, to my ears.
The Covid thing has me home (no golf in Los Angeles!), listening to music more. Would love to stream something that approaches the vinyl sound quality with a music service, but being retired, budget is more a concern now... I just subscribed to TIDAL with its premium level (MQA) that I was running straight from my iphone 6 to the VTL. Meh. Then my daughter ran same stuff through her iphone 11 and, hey, that sounded better. So, clearly, I am in need of a streaming DAC.
I know MQA gets mixed reviews. I have no way really to test this or to go listen to stuff. Everything is shut down here. So here's the criteria that matters most to me:
- A great UI app because now streaming is like going to the Smithsonian. There's a lot to organize.
- Great sound. (whatever that means!)
- One box. Cables get expensive & messy.
- I'd like to keep it under $2K. I'd really like to keep it under $1K, but that may be wishful thinking. I mean, is Bluesound Node 2 up to it? I am sure it would beat my daughters iphone 11, but ... what are reasonable streamers/DACS? Where's the killer solution that isn't $10K? I know it's out there....
Thanks for your input. Chuck
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Never played with the Node but I can see the attraction to an all in one option with a great UI. You could start there and see if it sounds good to you, if not there are external DAC's for under $500 that WILL make you happy, don't let people tell you that you should spend more. That would take it to the next level. BUT if you already have an iPad or laptop or iPhone even, go ahead and get an external DAC and attach it to one of those and you've got a great option. You won't have that UI of the Node but if you only use one or two services for streaming then you can switch between apps easily. |
So here’s what I am hearing. I should just start with the Node 2i. Maybe that’ll be good enough for my system/ears, maybe it won’t. If not, I’ll have a decision: which streaming service (MQA, no MQA) I can test that out a little with node as some tracks have both versions. This will drive decision re what kind of DAC, if that’s important. PS: it doesn’t hurt my feelings but it does amaze me that my system sits where it does in the universe of audio systems! I’m glad my itch is basically scratched (and don’t want it inflamed again but I have to admit it makes me curious). Ok question. Forget the table, phone pre. Just between the VTL integrated vs Electa Amator II speakers, where’s the weaker link in the chain? (Do not tell my wife I asked this question!!!) |
The BlueSound Node 2i is like a gateway drug. It's a good way to get started, but may leave you wanting for more, especially if you really enjoy the sound of vinyl. It has a great app and is easy to use, but you may eventually find it lacking sonically. If you'd prefer to skip past all of that and have a $2K budget, start with something like the Lumin D2 or TEAC NT-505. You'll probably get some other recommendations in that price range. Adding a DAC to the Node 2i is a band-aid that will improve the sound quality, but not as much as just buying a better unit. I added an Auralic Vega DAC ($3500 when new) to my Node 2 and while it improved the sound, that combination was easily bested by the all-in-one TEAC NT-505. The app is not as good s the BlueSound app, but you can use the Lumin or Esoteric apps or BubbleupNp or Roon to name a few, all of which are better than the TEAC HR Streaming app. |
Square one. A streamer is a highly specialized computer whose only job is to deliver the digital signal to your system. Your system, however, requires an analog signal. That's where the Digtital to Analog Converter (DAC) is necessary. The Bluesound Node 2Ci contains both so something just under $600 is all you need to spend currently for hardware. You will feed your Node with an ethernet signal which you say you have at the ready. From the Node to your preamp you will need a pair of RCA cables and you are done. Just plug it into your preamp input labeled CD or Aux and sit back. As a further suggestion, you might consider upgrading your phone/controller/remote from iPhone 6 to something like an iPhone Xr or an iPad Air. The larger screen might come in handy for viewing your options. As a last suggestion, I would recommend you try Qobuz. It seems more inclined toward grownups than Tidal and it does not require MQA which can limit your DAC options should you develop curiosity about how much better things can get at some point in the future. I bought from Crutchfield where they give you 60 days to decide about your level of satisfaction, and free shipping. The unit lists for $550 but there will be tax. That's why I posted "under $600" rather than a more precise figure. |
There are all kinds of streamer/DAC combos, or you can just get a streamer sans DAC;, a DAC that only does DACing; streamer/DACs with amplification built in; streamer-DAC-amplifiers-toasters-car butt warmers, etc. My advice would be to check the Audio Advisors site. Products range from good midfi to lower level high end. Their sales people are helpful as well. I would join the chorus that recommends the Node2. It sounds very good and does MQA, which is important for you, and comes in under budget. The DAC is the Achilles Heel, and please don’t be offended, but in the system that you describe, the DAC in the Node2 will sound just fine. In my experience it works better with ethernet, but you seem to have that covered. If you add a DAC, I strongly suggest the Mytek Liberty, which will do MQA. |
To answer your question yes there are front end (streamer only) units but they start generally in the area of the top of your budget and are from companies like Lumin, Auralic, Aurender and Innuos unless you want to buy something based on the the Pi concept like Allo. But you said you wanted an all in one unit so those units don't apply to your original ask. In the case of the Node 2ci, to my ears, it may get the front end right but not the back end. |
Ok, one more comment/question. So you can sort think of streaming as possibly two things. There's the 'player' - like a CD transport - that sends the digital output to the DAC. So the front end is mainly about connecting to the internet, the music service, and navigating the music (UI). The back end gets the data stream and converts it. Hmm. So if you're not married to MQA, there are a lot of great used DAC's out there. Interesting. Are there devices like Bluesound Node whose only job is to do this streaming interface without an internal DAC? |
Thx, guys. Question. This stuff is still confusing to me. How does something like Bluesound node2 and Chord Qutest work together? What does each do? Would the node be sort of like the front end (get and manage the streaming) and the Chord do the actual conversion? And it's true, while there are much more hard core audiophiles out there, I did buy and sell a lot of pretty good gear to finally put this system together that worked for me. So I definitely have some hard-to-define threshold that is pretty much pass-fail for me. But yeah, this whole world of content is just siting there for $10-20/month. That's awesome. I mean, I like playing records. Sometimes. But just to be able to play this, then that piece of music without getting out of my chair. Nice. |
The best sounding and most functional all in on unit you are going to find under $2000, though just barely, is the Teac NT-505. While the Node will accomplish the streaming part you would need to buy an outboard DAC for acceptable sound quality up to the standards of the rest of your gear. A far better option to the Node 2 if you don't want to go to the top of your budget may be the Volumio Primo. https://volumio.org/product/volumio-primo/ |
The Bluesound Node2i is a streamer/DAC that you can connect to wirelessly or with an ethernet cable. The BluOs app that you would download to your phone for free is a really nice app that will allow you to connect with and control Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Internet radio, etc. It is easy to set up and use. It’s probably about as easy to use as you can get. It shows you the album art, titles, and tracklists. It is just a really good basic app. Help is available from Bluesound or here if you need it. For $500 you get good sound. For more money there is much better sound out there. You don’t seem to be a hard core audiophile, obsessed with the way you system sounds, so I think it would be a very good entry option into streaming for you. It is not the only option, though. I see them used for sale here for $350 from time to time. I don’t know what they actually sell for, but you won’t have to take a big loss if you don’t like it. If in time you want better sound you can buy a better DAC and just use the Node to stream. I love streaming. The ability to access so many albums so easily is just great. The week’s new albums are on your phone automatically every Friday. Read about an album that sounds interesting and just pull it up on your phone and give it a listen. A lot of music is easier to enjoy if you don’t have to buy a copy of it. It ends the buyer’s remorse problem. I’ll let someone else give you another option. |
Bluesound Node is a great place to start. It has a solid interface and supports a whole host of streaming services as well as internet radio. Get started there, and then if you want to take it further, take it up a notch with an outboard DAC. If you look to the used market, you can definitely put together a very nice streaming rig within a $1K to $2K budget with a Bluesound Node of any generation (N100, Node 2, or Node 2i) as your starting point. For the money, a Bluesound Node 2 or 2i combined with something like a Chord Qutest or Ayre Codex would make for an absolutely killer combination. But hey, older kit, like a Bluesound Node N100 combined with something like a Bryston BDA-1 wouldn't be at all shabby, and that combo could probably be had for around $1K. |
