Bluesound node icon

i demo'd the newest eversolo dmp-a6 and the bluesound node icon... i ended up sticking with the icon.

app wise, they're both comparable. i will say that BluOS can feel a bit sluggish at times, but overall, it's good/fine.

eversolo has the one up on the bluesound because it can do apple music bit perfect (only airplay on bluesound). i use local files and tidal, so that wasn't a deal breaker for me.

i couldn't a/b them but i preferred the sound from the icon. it sounded more livelier in my system. the icon also has support for DIRAC if that tickles your fancy at all.

another reason i decided to go with the icon is that from reading online, it seems eversolo support is pretty hit or miss (look at their forums).

either one is a great product.

I should have mentioned that I would be opened to pre-owned units as well.

At that price point the Icon might be your best option all things considered.

Budget is around $1000 give or take.

What’s your budget, and are you open to buying used?

Yes I did think the C7 power cord connection was bush league, but yet it has balanced interconnect. The headphone amp is THX AAA so I’m thinking it should be pretty good. I don't want to spend as much as the 2 you mentioned, but want something pretty decent. Do you think the Eversolo A6 master is worth the extra $300 or is it splitting hairs? I read Bluesound app iOS is better for iPhone users such as me where Eversolo has less app issues with androids. I’m not sure how true that is...app

It’s a Swiss Army knife product with a decent DAC from what I can see.  I can’t tell what kind of power supply it uses, which along with its price means it’s probably not a LPS and also sports a low-rent, two prong A/C plug socket neither of which say it competes with the “big boys.”  That it includes things like a headphone amp, eARC, multi-room capability, video screen, etc. further tells me they put $ in multifunction/lifestyle features over ultimate sound quality.  It’s probably quite good for what it is and at its price point, but implying it can compete with pricier streamers from companies like Aurender, Innuos, etc. with a separate DAC or even something like an Aurender A150 is a stretch in my book.  Just my $0.02 FWIW.