Tried BS Node 2i standalone to preamp. Sounded good but not great. Ran coax to Dac magic. Much better sound. Wasn't bad on it's own but definitely much better with a Dac.
Digital Front end for Dummies
Have been an analog guy and will likely continue to be but am getting fiber optic Internet (I live in the middle of nowhere so this is a big deal) and am interested in developing a digital front end. My goal is really just to have a streaming set up, either Tidal or Qobuz, with a solid DAC. My dilemma is that I don't want an all in one as I feel like I'd rather have the opportunity to change DAC's later if I want. I also don't want to lay out a pile of money all at once. Wondering if I should get something like a Bluesound Node 2 to start and then add a DAC later or go with a less expensive front end like an Audioengine B-Fi and spend more on a DAC like a used Ayre Codex, Schiit Gungnir, or Denafrips Area II. Rest of my system is:
Rogue Audio RP-7Rogue Audio M180 monoblocksVandersteen Quatro Woods
Rogue Audio RP-7Rogue Audio M180 monoblocksVandersteen Quatro Woods
15 responses Add your response
If you are somewhat technical you can start with a Raspberry Pi and a dac. The Pi only costs around $100 leaving you more for the dac. There is also a Volumio Primo that is ready made and the same price as the Node. And one called Orchard which can have a dac, it's optional. Another way to start is to buy a cheap computer and a DragonFly dac. Or any USB dac if you want something better. |
Agree with what others have said about the Node 2i. I started with that and used it for a few months, sounded pretty good. Then got a MDHT Orchid with a WE 396A tube and with Qobuz, it's damn good. The Bluesound App is very good, it could use some minor improvements like the ability to alphabetize my Playlists. |
I agree with everyone here about the Bluesound products. I’ve got two Node 2i’s- one upstairs and one downstairs. Setup is easy, usability is solid, and the flexibility they offer is astounding. I wanted to chime in as I’ve actually tried the Audioengine adapter for a simple airpla antwnna. I didn’t care for the internal DAC, and when I fed it through the DAC in my Yamaha as801, it just sounded lifeless. I know this is a different caliber of equipment than yours, but with the bluesound, my setup sings. I’m not sophisticated enough to really describe it better than that. We returned the Audioengine (still love them) and shelled out for the bluesound node and never looked back. The two units I have sound phenomenal streaming Tidal masters. The music sounds alive but not overly warm or cool- it’s my favorite digital source because of how it sounds. NAD has also started manufacturing integrateds and network streamers with the bluesound compatibility, operating system, and features. I’d look into those as well. Good luck! |
Thanks everyone. After reading the comments I feel like Bluesound is probably the way to go. I've done some more reading since starting this thread now though and am wondering if I shouldn't try and go even a little less expensive and give myself more options. I've read a bit about the Allo Boss Player R-Pi based unit. Saw Darko's review as well as a couple others and seems like it sounds pretty darn good for the price and could use Volumio to access Qobuz or Tidal. Later, I could swap out the Boss DAC HAT for the Allo DigiOne and get a great outboard DAC. Thoughts? |
oldhvymec Streaming iS Qobuz (I recommend over Tidal) for lossless. BluSound for starters because it has it’s own player app (BluOS) that is virtually plug and play so It’s the easiest for beginners. Start with its DAC and when you try an external one your listening preferences will guide you to the SQ you prefer. It plays virtually all services.but MQA which is a money grab. If you want Roon, (try it on your computer) then you are better off with a Ras Pi. Less money for better sound. See Erich for that. You’ll appreciate the savings that you can apply to your subscription. It displays art better than Volumio does. (Not as good as Orange Squeeze) It plays most ALL internet radio and has plenty of USB power for local SSDs. |
+1 for starting with Bluesound kit and then adding an external DAC. Agree with mahler123 that the best thing about Bluesound is the BluOS app. Only user interface out there better in my opinion is Roon, but that is a whole other expenditure. But should you decide to eventually graduate to Roon, one of the nice things about Bluesound is that their kit is all Roon compatible. I started out with the original Bluesound Cube (the Node N100) and an external DAC back in 2014. Then started doing Roon a year ago. Today have 4 pieces of Bluesound kit all acting as Roon endpoints in different rooms in the house. |
A Bluesound Node 2i is a great place to start. Don’t do the multiple unit/whole house thing, because they are more prone to failure when bought in multiple units. Irish compatible with every streaming service imaginable and the supplied DAC is adequate. If you take to streaming than it will be worth a few hundred bucks to upgrade the DAC. The best feature about Bluesound is the BluOS app. |
Why start there fuzztone? I don't stream, I do use the heck out of the Music Channel. 1-2 hours a day an hour of TT or CDs. I don't know if that is streaming or not. I'm savy in analog ok, but digital, music I need to figure out a few things.. Why Bluesound? Not trying to hijack the thread OP.. I'm one of the, (I guess dummies), when it comes to DEEP digital music source understanding. Getting the best results with digital music and a particular analog device. I want to archive the material and then reproduce it.. RtR to be more exact. I like it.. SOURCE material.. is just way to scarce and not much of what I like.. I can learn.. :-) My DACs are Mac, Krell and Cocktail, couple more.. These are HQ streaming devices, that require good DACs correct? Analog! I still crank up the Victrola.. no line in or out on that one.. LOL Regards |
I think you've hit the nail on the head grab a Bluesound node 2, to start or possibly forever, and add a DAC like the ones you mentioned. I have the Gungnir multi bit in my system and its great specially for the money. reason i say start with the Bluesound node 2i is simplicity and a very good app design (this is how you control it). later when your more confident in the various ways to stream add something better with out a huge loss in money from the node or obviously use it elsewhere. a good source of information about various streaming solutions is John Darko (audio reviewer YouTube channel) well he does everything else as well but has quite a bit of streaming DAC content. BACK TO BASICS Part 2: Music servers & network streamers - YouTube glen |
