Bluesound Powernode 2i vs Bel Canto C5i


I posted this over in Audio Asylum the other day and didn't get much feedback, so figured I'd try here.  

    I currently have a set of Ohm 1000s being driven by a Bel Canto C5i which is rated at 60 watts a channel at 8 ohms. The Ohms are 6 ohm speakers so I'm probably getting closer to 90 watts max as the Bel Canto doubles power into a 4 ohm load. I'm very happy with the performance of this combo. I use a Squeezebox Touch (long discontinued) which feeds digital out into the C5i's built-in DAC.

    I'm thinking about simplifying things by switching to a Bluesound Powernode 2i which is also rated at 60 watts a channel (8 ohms) and has a built in streamer and DAC.

    Anyone have any experience or comments about the amplifier side of the Powernode?
mlsstl

Showing 1 response by mapman

I have a c5i running similar “Super” Ohm Walsh 2 upgraded with 8” series 3 driver in the family room. It has stuck there now for a number of years. C5i is a very clean sounding and very flexible device. It has everything except streamer including phono and a decent headphone amp to boot. I think it originally sold for over 2K and you have to spend more on the amp side mainly to beat it. Or run it to a separate beefier outboard power amp. A little more power and current wouldn’t hurt. There is a c6i model now BTW.