Bluesound Node 2 vs. Node (2021)

@skirescue911 Hi, I’ve just started using the USB output on my Node "3" to a new DAC I’ve had for around a month. While for me it works flawlessly streaming natively from the Node/BluOS, Roon/USB has issues in the form of pops and crackles.

This has been acknowledged by Bluesound and discussed on Roon forums. Bluesound say the Roon integration is still in Beta and will be addressed by future updates.

If you don’t use Roon, you shouldn’t have issues. USB out has provided a greater clarity and detail for me, but that maybe due to the way USB is implemented in my DAC. But, the greatest improvement I made was modding the Node with the replacement PCB and external LPS from the Polish company someone linked above for you. The cost is extremely reasonable for the improvements gained; it cost me around £200, which was eyebrow raising personally, as I wasn't expecting such an improvement for that kind of money.

Hope this helps; good luck and happy listening 👍

I have no experience with the Node2, but I do have the new Node 3 and am running it into a H390. I also have a Pontus ll and an original Schiit Bifrost DAC. The Node 3’s DAC is actually not all that bad. During the last few days I’ve been mixing and matching and the H390’s DAC is only slightly better and the Bifrost is only slightly better. The Pontus ll however is a bunch better. I’d hope so considering it cost almost 4 times as much as the Node.

All the best.

JD

Thanks guys - all good food for thought.

I just read this thread and wondering if anyone else has new opinions about upgrading from a Node 2i to the Gen 3? The power supply upgrade sounds interesting too?