2. amps-preamps
  3. 156319-145131

Can I use a Bluesound Node 2i as a Preamp?

I just recently purchased a Bluesound Node 2i to use with my CXA80 integrated amp. However in future  I’m looking at upgrading to a high end power amplifier. As I’ve had the CXA80 for years I want to try a few different DAC’s etc. So in future I’m looking at buying a high end power amp I can plug some RCA cables into and use some different bits of kit. 
Whilst I was on the phone to the guy from the audio store, whilst purchasing the Node 2i I asked about connecting the Node 2i to an NAD M22 as an example. He warned me not to do that for too long, as I’d need a proper Preamp, he was warning me that the Node 2i is not a Preamp. Fair enough but I am a bit confused, what does a Preamp have that the Node 2i does not? How do you define what a Preamp is then? What is the risk of connecting a Node 2i to a M22 directly via RCA? Or is this just a traditional thing that you need a big preamplifier for a big amplifier? I can’t figure out what the reasoning is. Is this to do with grounding of the preamp? or something else? Any feedback would be appreciated. 
andyboom

Showing 1 response by three_easy_payments

three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
Technically yes, the Node2i will work using the app volume slider while plugged directly into an amp. For kicks I tried this one day while waiting on an integrated amp to arrive. I plugged it into a Class A tube amp and it worked but didn’t sound nearly as good (in fact it was pretty bad) as after connecting to the integrated and using the integrated’s volume control. Night and day difference.

Also you need to be careful. I started with the volume slider all the way down and gently nudged it up to obtain volume I wanted. I could imagine someone through fumbly thumbs or by omission hitting play while slider is all the way up at 100% and blowing out a speaker driver.
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