Bluesound Node 2i vs Upscale streamers
3 weeks ago, I bought an Auralic Aries G1.1 streamer. It replaced a Bluesound Node 130 with Teddy Pardo LPS. The Auralic sounds much, much better. Cleaner, clearer, deeper, wider, fuller. I have a pretty resolving system. Linear Tube Audio Z40 int am driv8ng Dynaudio heritage specials with a denafrips Pontus 2 in between. I prefer the BLUOS app, but the Aries is a huge improvement.
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I have had the modification of the Terry Pardo MiniTeddy upgrade power supply implemented with the Bluesound N130. The supply was $300.00, but the shipping cost to the US was $125.00. Recieived in one week. The are also power supply modifications for the Node 2i. I play ripped CDs, digitized vinyl LPs, and Qobuz thru the Roon software application. I do not and have not every used the DAC function of the Node N130, so I cannot comment on that aspect of the devices. The Node N130 feeds a Naim DAC V1, which feeds vintage Naim electronics, and a vintage pair of passive Linn Isobarik speakers. The change has resulted in pronounced clarity on low level details of the recordings. Very Good improvement on micro dynamics, and the over all scale of the recordings. Excellent improvement on percussion on well recorded releases. Pleased with the purchased. I have used TP devices before and I trust the organization’s commitment to a quality product. |
Very old thread come back to life but still a question that remains unanawered in my mind after reading through the thread again. Other than larger sound stage and less jitter, not too much has really been offered. Sure you can spend a couple or three grand and find out for yourselves, but can some who have gone this route offer a little more to people (like me and the OP) who would hope to know more before experimenting? I'm particularly interested to know how or if the new Node has closed the gap. |
I am not sure what I truly believe to be reasonable with this entire issue. I am a network engineer and deal with signal path constantly. If data is truly digital it is a stream of zeros and ones. Noise should not be an issue as once you are in the digital domain it would not be a part of the binary stream. I do agree that a clocking issue could introduce some significant difficulties for the DAC, although this too could be overcome with enough buffer to allow for time correction. I have a Node 2i being used only as a steamer and the decoding be actioned by a DA2 in a McIntosh C2700 preamp. I compared this to a well recorded vinyl selection and found the digital stream sounded somewhat mechanical…or had a lack of “warmth”. I realize these are subjective descriptions, but I’m not sure how else to describe it. While I believe the above all to be correct, I am always skeptical of my own need to justify the next purchase I want to make. Add that to a salesman who might be willing to spout a never ending steam of technical nonsense to reinforce my decision to purchase and (I think) you wind up where we all are. Searching for facts in a subjective world. I do however seek anyones advice on how to achieve the warmth and sonic quality of vinyl thru a digital stream…I’m lazy, vinyl is hard to find and gets very expensive… thoughts? |
I am working with a sales person at The Cable Company. So far, we have upgraded my speaker wires and power cord. I do hear a difference. I am hearing greater detail and space. I stream now 100% of the time. My sales person said the next step is to improve the signal of the source. He also says the DAC inside the BlueSound Node 2i is not as good as my ARCAM AVR550. This makes sense because how can a DAC inside a $550 BlueSound be as good as a DAC inside a $3,200 ARCAM compare in quality.
What do you think? I will spend about $800 which is more than the BlueSound. |
rotten1, I’m using the budget one supplied by Creative (available as a package). It’s a Mean Well like this one: https://www.alliedelec.com/product/mean-well/gsm40b05-p1j/70462532/ Very inexpensive and widely available from $20 - $25. They also offer an upscale PS but I’ve not heard it. Some say Sbooster is tops. https://www.sbooster.com/botw-pp-eco-5v-6v/ |
For just a little money there is a road to big improvement of the Bluesound Node series. PD Creative makes a plug’n’play internal power board with external supply for the 2i and the new NODE. At about $125 US dollars delivered, anyone with an external DAC needs it yesterday - “It’s not subtle” doesn’t do it justice. My 2i is twice the streamer it was. My new NODE is stunning at it’s cost (IMO). Big words, I know. Have faith. It’s the best return for my money I’ve ever gotten in this God forsaken hobby. Period. All that’s needed is a philips screw driver. The back trim panel is held in place by magnets. Disclaimer - I am not affiliated with nor have anything to gain from PD Creative. I am stoked at getting so much for so little. NODE > MHDT Orchid DAC> Herron 360 > Pass Xa25 > Acoustic Zen Crescendo II & REL SHO S/5 |
Breathing life into an older thread. I have a Node 2 going into a Chord M Scaler/TT2 combo using an AQ diamond Toslink cable. I think it sounds very nice. Spacious, lots of detail to let my 802 D2s bloom. That said, I have been wondering if getting a better streamer will justify the cost… I have a $500 streamer in a very expensive stack, so if there was a weak link, the node would be it. I took home a Aurender A100 from the local Hifi shop to test drive it, however it wouldn’t play with my Chord kit using USB a-b, which was super annoying…. I’d like to listen to an Auralic Aries G1 but no dealers near by to audition it, and I don’t want to spend a few k blindly. Anyhow, if anyone has used the Aries G1 with the TT2/Scaler combo, and also the Node 2 with the Chord kit, chime in and let me know. Super appreciated if you do. cheers |
I’ve had the Bluesound Node 2i for about a month. I live in the country with only one or two decent FM stations, so don’t bother to set up my DXing tuner. After having played my CD’s and vinyl once too many times, and listening to Xfinity jazz and blues music channels and You Tube via my cable box, I purchased the Node. What a totally pleasant experience to listen to the streaming stations. Haven’t yet delved into paid subscriptions. The fun surpasses any worries about quality at this end at least for now. |
The Allo Digione Signature is cheaper than a Node and is supposed to be better than much more expensive streamers. You might want to look into them. They are soon coming out with a battery power add on that charges the batteries during a user-specified period and completely disconnects the charging circuit from the batteries during the other period for listening. How cool is that? |
@ozzy62 — Good thread. If I’m you I buy either an Innuos Zen Mini Mklll or even better a Zen Mklll if it’s in your budget from HiFi Heaven and try it in your system. They have a generous return policy so you could do this with very little cost outlay and will definitively answer your question. Also, read Darko’s reviews of Innuos models (if you haven’t already) as he compares them directly to others in his system, which I found particularly interesting. FWIW... |
I am trying to revive this thread. I am running a BlueSound 2i into a Benchmark DAC. I find the BlueSound interface handy and reliable. Sounds great. Most limitations come from the recording quality anyhow. It seems to me that the SQ originates mostly from the DAC itself (and of course the recording). Why would the BS Node or the interface impact on the SQ? Interested to hear the arguments. |
@larry5729 I haven’t heard the Project DAC but I have read some comments elsewhere that it’s pretty sub par. I had a ProJect headphone amp that I thought was crap and returned it. I can believe that the humble DAC in in the Node2 bested the ProJect DAC. I think that you were snookered by your dealer. Always trust your own ears |
Bluesound Node 2i Marantz AV 7705 with Emotiva XPA5, Tekton Electron BE speakers. Comparing streamers ONLY ( via coaxial out of Node 2i to Marantz AV7705 ) Using Amazon Music HD CD quality and above streams. Bluesound Node 2i is very slightly better...a little better detail, better bass control, and better overall balance. Not in your face difference....you have to listen closely. Comparing the DACs of the two units.... Bluesound wins again. A little more obvious with the DACs but again not substantial with my equipment. Node 2i is more controlled with the high and low end and this was pretty obvious ( I have beryllium tweeters). Smoother overall sound, less fatiguing . No major improvement in soundstage or dynamics. My Bluesound Node 2i is for a another setup and I would not consider it a cost effective upgrade from the Marantz 7705.( I purchased refurbished from safeandsoundhq for $420 shipped 1 year warranty) I am going to use for the front end with Benchmark DAC3/ABH2 set up with the Tekton Electrons. I was a little concerned that the Tektons with beryllium were a little too harsh/bright but this experiment revealed it was coming from the Marantz . The Node 2i produces a non fatiguing sound in comparison. Node 2i has a much better user interface than the HEOS system on Marantz equipment ( especially if you use Amazon music HD) All the above inmho. |
This topic is not new, it’s just in a different wrapper. In the end, it’s all about the transport or transfer of info. With Records and turntables, it was the cartridge. With CDs, it was the transport. With the first Mac servers, it was about the USB transfer (async, etc.). today, it’s about the streamers. same sh*t, new day. 1. With a DYI $50 solution, you get 85% there. 2. With a popular $500 solution, you get 90% there. 3. With integrated $2500 solutions, you get 92% there. 4. For every 1% from here out, you pay $1,000 each. this hobby is sometimes about deciding and justifying price/performance thresholds and then determining if short or long term satisfaction has been attained. the struggle is real...;-) |
I have a Bluesound Node 2i on the way. In the meantime I have been listening to You Tube through my Comcast/Xfinity cable TV box that is input to my preamp and stereo. Note that this bypasses my smart TV computer as the TV can be turned off and the music continues. It actually sounds quite good, wondering how much better the Node 2i will sound. |
I added a ProJect DAC to my Blue Sound Node 2i and found I liked the Node 2i played by itself better. I stream Tidal and for some reason, I sense I hear something different when I play their MQA recordings. I know most of you do not feel the same as MQA. The dealer I purchased my REL S3's from told me the Bellcanto sounds much better. However, it does not completely unfold MQA. The question is does the Bellcanto sound significantly better for twice the price? The problem is you can't take hear a component in your home system before purchasing it. In the case of the ProJect DAC I had to sell it on Audiogon for half the price I paid for it and the same for the Audioquest Carbon digital coax to go with it. I am beginning to wonder if most of the members think components sounds significantly better because they spend more money? Kind of like the Emperor's New Cloths. When I did a blind testing at the dealer on the ProJect DAC, I picked the Blue Sound 5 times played by itself. However, because the dealer told me I should be hearing greater detail in the cymbols and in the bass I was basically crazy for not being able to hear the difference. Perhaps stepping up to something like the two DAC's mentioned may be what I would need to do in order to really hear a significant difference to warrant the investment. However, again if I am unable to hear it on my system before purchasing, how will I know the more expensive DAC's are worth the money. This is why I feel dealers for the most part are useless. Where is their skin in the game. If the gear they are selling is worth the money they should be willing to put their money where their mouth is. The same thing goes when wanting to hear the more expensive speakers in a speaker line up. Most of the time, the dealer stock only the two lower priced speakers assuming a buyer will not spend the money for the more expensive. If I were a manufacturer and had a retailer that did this, I would pull the line and find someone else to sell their line. In this case, I think it makes sense to buy speakers from a manufacture such as SALK who sells only direct and wait to hear them at an audio show. However, often times the manufacturer showcases their less expensive gear at a show assuming buyers will not spend the extra money on their more expensive line. This is why I think manufacturers to either offer consigned inventory or offer extended terms to a retailer so they can afford to demo their full line up. Many of them work out of their homes and do not have the space so this often is a moot point. Can't wait to hear some responses on this because so many of the members of this group are dealers who in many instances do some of the things I am talking about. Just mentioning the word DIRECT can make the hairs on their backs to stand up. If dealers are not doing their job if I were a manufacturer I might consider selling only direct. |
I'm an old die-hard vinylphile and the 2i is my first adventure in streaming. I was an outsider looking in, researching what's best, what's necessary, what could I afford and what the heck is going with this new (to me) tech. I jumped in and got the 2i because of reputation and wifi (a necessity for me), an all-in-one solution and a much needed learning experience. It was a great excuse to buy an iPad too. I needed something much better than my Sangeam WFT-1 for radio and the 2i doesn't disappoint. Very enjoyable and doesn't hurt my ears. I've just received an MHDT Orchid and second day I'm really impressed with it. This may lead to a subscribed streaming service. Of course I've got buyer's paralysis on that too. eenie, meenie ... |
In my system, Bluesound Vault 2 serves as source for Parasound JC2BP and A21 driving Quatro Wood CTs. Very happy, really delighted, with sound. Note use of Wireworld Starlight 7 ethernet net cable and Mini-Electra power cord with Vault produced improvement in resolution, soundstage, and presence of sound for under $500. I know that's half the cost of the Vault but modest relative to cost of my system and to a higher end DAC/streamer.Could be better? Maybe for beaucoup bucks. But happy with sound now. |
Everyone has a smart phone to download the Bluesound app. It’s great they have an app for music file management and playback which Sonore does not. Bluesound is a nice one box solution for for those who can’t spend more than $250-$550 and want a complete one box solution. I just purchased a Node 2 for $250 used. Hard to beat at that price. |
Ozzy62 great topic, However my curiosity leans more toward a server having recently purchased a three piece digital stack with a streamer that is scheduled to be released soon. However I have second thoughts of purchasing a stand alone streamer .... i understand the immense convenience at your finger tip streaming music and if someone told me 30 years ago something like this would be part of main stream choice I would of been sceptical of it . Anyway my apologies for the rambling though my thoughts about your question how dramatic differences are there with say an entry level streamer to one double the price and so forth ? I have no doubt’s there are . However I view these components as just computer parts in a nice looking box with many selling for thousands and some tens of thousands , is it a fast track to diminishing returns ? I transitioned away from using a transport to wanting to use a server to rip the many thousands of CDs that are available to me including my own collection. Having listened to a borrowed server in my system last year I immediately liked the sound quality over my CEC transport and this no name home built server not only surpassed the performance of my transport it did it at less then 1/2 the price and of course I wanted him to build me one for the past 18 months . Finally I’ve been chatting with a member whom owns , by the description and looks of his system a carefully thought out expensive system . The source he uses for the majority of listening is a very inexpensive Cocktail Audio server which had me stop and rethink what I’m doing .So over the weekend I purchased a demo model Cocktail Audio server X50 for $1,650.00 , my initial budget before ever listening to a server was 6 grand , so the journey begin’s. |
This topic reminds me of the great “transport debate” of 10/15 years ago. Given the same DAC, would a $2k+ CD transport deliver meaningfully better SQ than a stock Oppo, a stock Sony or a used Pioneer Elite...? those seeking incremental performance improvements would invariably say “yes”. Those with systems and/or ears not attuned to the difference would just shrug...”meh”.... the argument here is subjective. what we would love to see/hear is objectivity in the debate. otherwise, the juice may not be worth the squeeze. |
The microRendu is a good idea, but you still need a computer so it can get costly. The Bluesound is an all in one solution. @grannyring .. the Node also needs either a smart phone, tablet, or computer for setup/control, never mind a NAS if one has a library of files to stream. I would imagine most, if not all, who are looking to up their streaming game are already using one of these "computers". |
@ozzy62 .. similarly, I have a Node 2 and an MHDT Lab Pagoda. When curiosity got the best of me I went the Sonore route and picked up a microRendu for less cash than the Node 2. The difference in sound quality wasn’t exactly night and day but the refinement was easy to hear. The microRendu now feeds a Schiit Eitr before the Pagoda and I prefer this arrangement to a direct USB connection. With the Eitr in play there is no contest. When the time comes to update/upgrade I won’t hesitate to move up within Sonore’s line. |
