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Best quality connection from Network Streamer (BluSound Node II) to Preamp (MC C2700)

Hello, 

This is my first post so I appreciate anyone who takes the time to look at this and provides any feedback. 

I just bought a McIntosh C2700 preamp and would like to connect my Bluesound Node II as a network streamer. I wanted to see what you all thought the best possible way to connect it to my preamp would be. 

I guess the first question is which DAC will I actually use. 

  • Bluesound has a 32-Bit, 384kHz DAC
  • McIntosh C2700 has the DA2 which is a 8-channel, 32-bit 24-bit/192kHz DAC

The Possible connection types that are available between the two units are:

  • Analog Stereo RCA (Fixed or Variable)
  • Coaxial RCA
  • TOSLINK digital optical
  • USB Audio 2.0*

I really appreciate your all's help on this issue. 

zcook79
vonhelmholtz
911 posts
 

I have the DA2 in my integrated and find it to be a good place to start. Which interface to use is a tough one. I would eliminate Toslink. That leaves coax and USB. Buy from a source with a great return policy and buy equally priced coax and USB and let them fight it out. Lots of threads on bang for the buck cables.

baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,375 posts
 

It is correct that the Node II does not have an USB out. So chosing coax over toslink would be an easy pick for me.

bjp9738's avatar
bjp9738
66 posts
 

Had similar setup for awhile. 2700 and newer Node with USB out. My ears found the USB connection to be the best sounding to me. The McIntosh DA2 DAC definitely sounded better than the Node’s DAC. I later borrowed an older Naim DAC-V1 from a friend, and the improvement over both the Node and the DA2 DACs was very easy to hear.

dinosore
105 posts
 

As previously pointed out, the Node 2 does not have USB output. If you output via coaxial or TOSLINK you will bypass the Node's internal DAC.  You will want to use fixed (not variable) output setting.

You can connect the coaxial and analog RCA outputs simultaneously and switch between the two and decide which you prefer.  The Node will output both simultaneously.

I have a Node 2i with a Denafrips Ares II DAC.  The DAC in the Node isn't bad, but I have no experience with your preamp.  But based on its price, I would hope it would have a better DAC than a $600 streamer/DAC combo.

riie
219 posts
 

So you spent 10k on a preamp and 500 on a streamer. Before worrying about the quality of the connection I would for sure upgrade the streamer.

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