Experience with Bluesound Node 2 use with external DAC

@randyhat - you would need a pretty good DAC to better the DAC in the Node 2.

I had a Schiit Bifrost with the 4490 upgrade. One might think that a $400 external DAC should be better than an all-in-one box. However, the Node 2’s internal DAC+analogue output stage bettered the Bifrost considerably.

The Ayre Codex (@gdnrbob above) looks like one such DAC that can provide higher quality music - perhaps the Schit Gungnir or Yggy as well

Have you tried treating the Node 2 to some really great cables?

I already had a great power cable, but I used a IEC-C7 figure 8 adapter

Simply replacing the IEC-C7 figure 8 adapter with a C7 figure 8 connector on the mains cable made a significant improvement to SQ.

Good cables provide the following benefits...
- laser precision imaging with more space around individual performers
- larger image that exceeds the room boundaries
- significant improvement in clarity
- improved micro details e.g. more realistic venue acoustics

The Node 2 elevated my digital music to the level of my analogue rig, so I’ve stopped pursuing the next upgrade - for now at least :-).

Now I’m just enjoyin’ the music - Steve

Although I have never tried a Musical Fidelity DAC, I did own the v-link192 USB-SPDIF converter, which was superb. Coupled with the Bifrost, it made digital music sing

If they put that amount of effort into a USB-SPDIF converter i would have to believe their DAC’s are also very worthy products

If you want to use USB, then I would suggest you look at the MF lineup - since their USB interface appears to be excellent.

Regards

@kalali - have you tried a better power supply on the Dacmagic?

I had the original DACmagic prior to my Bifrost and it responded very well when I replaced the power supply. but even with its tweaked power supply, the Bifrost provided better SQ overall. .

The other piece of the puzzle are the IC’s you used to connect everything. If they are not "GREAT" cables then you will not really hear just how good the Node-2 (or any other component) really is

The improvements I hear t this level of performance are image, dynamics and clarity (i.e. venue acoustics)

As far as Optical Input - a good cable again will improve performance - one of the best value cables I have is from DH Labs - it provided a huge improvement over the Chord and Van den Hul cables I already had.

BTW: I agree about the lack of SPDIF RCA input on the Codex - a bit strange in light of the many negative comments about Optical interface performance issues

Hope that helps

@kalali - you can simply go into ebay and search for "12v DC linear power supply" - I found lots to choose from and most of them had nice looking construction using toroid transformers.- raniging form around $70-$150

All you might have to do is attach the right power connector

Cambridge Audio will tell you it is not advisable - because they want you to buy the next component up their chain, but getting a new power supply will improve the SQ a great deal.

I had the previous version with a 12v ac supply - so I simply put a good transformer into a case - no DC component ot mess with.

Hope that helps - Steve

@gdnrbob - I just re-read your comments from an earlier post

  As, I said, when Johnny played music first through the Bluesound and then the Codex, the difference was instantly perceptible. The Codex sounded alive.

On second reading I realized this was an in-store audition, which makes a whole world of difference when assessing components,
- mainly because in the store they tend to use the stock power cable/supply that comes with the component.
- why? mainly because the do not know any better most of the time
- or they do not have the time to experiment, especially with lower priced components
-  PLUS - they want you to buy the better sounding, higher priced component if they can demonstrate it "effectively"

So based on my observations while using best quality power cords on everything - I'm left wondering if the improvements of the Codewx would be as noticeable if good cables were used on both these units?
- I'm sure the Codex would have still sounded better, but having good cables on the Node 2 might have narrowed the distance between them?

I've come to a point where I take my cables with me to audition a product.

Just a couple of weeks ago I took in a power cable to assess the Bluesound Pulse Mini... 
- with the stock cable it was "OK sounding" but the bass was a little muddy and distorted on a couple of bass heavy tracks
- with the better power cable there was a whole new level of clarity and control - the bass tightened up considerably and the distortion was no longer present either - it sounded like a much better unit
- and the look on the sales person's face when he heard the improvement was pretty amusing also.

Even when I purchased my latest speakers I took my amp, power cable and speaker cables to the store - I was happy - and they got their sale :-)

I've found that improving the cables and power supplies of components in the "budget end" of the spectrum can reap some very surprising and pleasing benefits and elevate their performance considerably 

Whereas components that have better power supplies do not provide as much of a significant improvement because they are already operating close to their highest level.

But - all components do benefit from great cables. 

I'm not knocking audio stores and their sales approach, because most stores I go into are not even aware of the benefits of great cables - after all,  they are there to sell products - not play with them.

There are stores that sell great cables, but trying to sell a $400 power cable for a $600 component might seem absurd - to most people :-O

So, it's up to people like me to try stuff that may sound a little "off the wall"

Just tryin' to maximize my investment :-)

Cheers