BlueSound Stinks(!), anyone?


I am looking for your help.  We recently switched from Sonos to BlueSound to get higher streaming rates.  So far we have had consistent problems and issues(!!).  Specifically, about 50% of the time my and my wife's BlueSound app does not recognize the Node 2i's.  When I delete the app, reinstall it and reconnect the Nodes, we again have the same problems at least 50% of the time.  It is simply a joke of a product and I find we are not alone.  I have tried just about everything.

Also, when I go online to get help, I find that I am not alone and there is a tsunami of negative (to the degree of very hostile) comments about BlueSound and for the most part it is the same issue.  I have tried just about everything and I am about to simply trash/sell mine and go back to Sonos.  If I do go back to Sonos, I will also leave a stream of bad comments on every forum I can since going back to Sonos will represent a big financial loss to me simply because Bluesound is an irresponsible/deceptive company at my expense.

Alternatively, I just want it to reliably work.  Do you you have and advice and/or guidance to get Bluesound to reliably work?  Is there a better alternative to to get higher bit rates thank Bluesound?

Thank you in advance for your help.  Dave


butterman
Another node 2i ethernet user with zero issues. Haven't tried using it with wifi.
Sorry to hear about your issues.  I have had three Nodes, a Node 2 and 2i (both currently in use) and another Node 2 that I gave to my brother when I upgraded to the 2i.  One is wired to the router, other wired to an another router used as a repeater upstairs in the man cave.  I have never had any issues with the Nodes, neither has my brother.  I set up another Node 2i for my sister-in-law and she has never had any issues.  I think hardwiring is the way to go. 

I test drove a Matrix Element X in the man cave to possibly replace the Node 2, in order to get better sound quality.  It did not do well set up wirelessly, but did fine hard wired.

I like the BluOS app.  It covers most services and also does internet radio.  The Matrix app displayed album covers better, but is harder to navigate, doesn't do internet radio, Spotify etc.  Really limited on services.  It also froze up to the point that I could not log into my Tidal account after a Matrix version update.  I returned the Matrix. I now use the Node 2 to stream to a Denafrips Terminator via coax.  Still no issues with the Node.
Every time I am forced to upgrade my BluOS player software or the application, the new version breaks. What used to be perfectly functional now doesn’t work and I can count on a few hours of messing around and rolling back to previous versions to make it all operational again. Have had 2 Node2i’s for 2 years in my system and the upgrades never work properly.
Another happy Node 2i user here. I have it connected directly to my mesh with an ethernet cable, and control it through Roon. Excellent. No Android devices in the household.  The BlueOs controller and Roon is all on Apple gear. 100% reliable. 
Has anyone been able to stream Amazon HD "bitperfect" ? I'd like to buy one only for this purpose.

My idea is :

  1. connect the node 2 to my network
  2. via my DLNA/Ethernet, be able to get my PS Audio DSSr DAC (no network card BTW) to show the actual Amazon HD playback bitrate (USB/Windows 10 defaults to 352kHz/24 Bit)
This method via Ethernet/Audirvanna/Qobuz (trial) works flawlessly. I use a Sony UBP-X1000ES as my "Streamer" and via HDMI to I2S into the PS Audio DAC, the playback is indistguishable form the CD/HI Res PCM counterparts. 

Anyone else notice that playback levels form Qobuz are a bit on the "hot" side when compared to the same tracks from a DVD-Audio disc or pre loudness wars CD ?