Little late to the game here but you don’t mention if the Chromecast Audio was toslink or line in. I’m thinking you don’t have a dac with vintage gear so I would find it hard to believe you liked the CCA dac better than the dac in the Node. SO I would try one of the newest $200 or so DACs from Topping or SMSL with the CCA puck using mini toslink to the dac and then into your system and see what you think. It has been measured to supply bit perfect info via Tidal on the ASR site which led me to try one— and I have it set up on my reference rig at this time that way. I swapped out to the ProJect Pre Box dac and it’s excellent. I also use an ELAC Discovery streamer that is just terrific overall but needs an Ethernet connection which limits my placement with it on my reference rig. Those are currently out there for between $600 and $1200 USD and come with ROON Essentials built in for free. Better than the Blue OS for metadata but not as flexible for streaming services. I’d also advise trying out the Klipsch Gate streamer currently less than $350 as it uses Play Fi. It’s not gapless, but it is flexible as far as streaming services go and can stream up tp 24/196 if hardwired. The other suggestions so far are higher end solutions that I always suggest people build up to rather than jump to until you are sure you know what you do and don’t like. Lastly — if you sit relatively close to near/midfield— why not try usb direct from a tablet to the dac via an extended long cable? I get great results that way with the lower priced solutions that I’m using.
Expert Advise Needed on Streamer - DAC combos.
I am new to digital audio. It was overwhelming at first because of years with Vinyl, then CD. I love Music and unfortunately I have expensive ears. I am over 60 years so when I made my DIY Speakers I gave it a strong top end with a 1" compression titanium tweeter with a butt check horn. They are sounding great with a Google Chromecast and the old Crown DC 150A, SL1 Preamp. I can tell the Chromecast is missing detail but is getting full frequency. I had a bad experience with a Christmas Present to me which has made me a bit gun shy of digital products.
I purchased a Bluesound Power Node 2i . I was disappointed with the sound compared to what I have now. It was a well made product and the Bluesound app worked well. The Amp had plenty of power at 60W.
Here was the problem. Accuracy of the lower brass instruments on my system. Compared to the Chromecast device (Which should not have been comparable) the brass instruments sounded narrow, no fullness, boldness, no rich tones. This was especially noticeable when comparing the "White Tree" sound track from Lord of the Rings. The old system crushed the Bluesound with Dynamics, thunder lows in comparison. (My speakers do 30HZ or lower)
I compared with direct to router, Bluetooth. same result. Bluesound support said that it is just 1's and 0's. (I thought no, it is how you process the sound from there!) The vendor I bought it from took it back, no questions asked. Their tech support could not explain it.
So here I am trying to beat a Chromcast device and 45 year old kick but equipment. So funny! I am to the point thinking that the DAC in the Bluesound Powernode was not good enough for what I like in sound. Fred next door might love it.
It was extremely detailed, completely silent between notes, separation was good, voices shallow same as in the low brass, trebble was crisp and clear. Was is the DAC?
Questions now. There are people I admire on this forum that are literal experts on sound, hardware, DAC's, you name it with audio. I need some opinions and guidance.
1. My budget is $2,000 for a DAC and a network streamer device.
2. I am thinking the Bluesound Node 2i streamer is good? What are your experiences with it?
3. Does an external DAC make much of a difference?
4. What other streamers in that price range is competitive or better in someones opinion? And why?
5. I have been looking at Innuos Zen mini mk3 Music Server as a possible upgrade?. (Competitor to the BS Vault)
6. I have been looking at the Shiit Gungnir DAC to match up with a steamer and also be able to take audio from an external SSD USB HD. (If I do not get the Innuos)
7. Does anyone have experience with the Shiit Gungnir mulitbit with the Bluesound streamer, or other competitive product? I have read many good things about Shiit and want to buy American and a company with top notch service.
Your experience, advise, recommended products in my price range is very much appreciated. It is a rare to have this opportunity to get great advise without pressure to buy something on the spot. I very much value everyone in this forum. Thank you! Paul
I purchased a Bluesound Power Node 2i . I was disappointed with the sound compared to what I have now. It was a well made product and the Bluesound app worked well. The Amp had plenty of power at 60W.
Here was the problem. Accuracy of the lower brass instruments on my system. Compared to the Chromecast device (Which should not have been comparable) the brass instruments sounded narrow, no fullness, boldness, no rich tones. This was especially noticeable when comparing the "White Tree" sound track from Lord of the Rings. The old system crushed the Bluesound with Dynamics, thunder lows in comparison. (My speakers do 30HZ or lower)
I compared with direct to router, Bluetooth. same result. Bluesound support said that it is just 1's and 0's. (I thought no, it is how you process the sound from there!) The vendor I bought it from took it back, no questions asked. Their tech support could not explain it.
So here I am trying to beat a Chromcast device and 45 year old kick but equipment. So funny! I am to the point thinking that the DAC in the Bluesound Powernode was not good enough for what I like in sound. Fred next door might love it.
It was extremely detailed, completely silent between notes, separation was good, voices shallow same as in the low brass, trebble was crisp and clear. Was is the DAC?
Questions now. There are people I admire on this forum that are literal experts on sound, hardware, DAC's, you name it with audio. I need some opinions and guidance.
1. My budget is $2,000 for a DAC and a network streamer device.
2. I am thinking the Bluesound Node 2i streamer is good? What are your experiences with it?
3. Does an external DAC make much of a difference?
4. What other streamers in that price range is competitive or better in someones opinion? And why?
5. I have been looking at Innuos Zen mini mk3 Music Server as a possible upgrade?. (Competitor to the BS Vault)
6. I have been looking at the Shiit Gungnir DAC to match up with a steamer and also be able to take audio from an external SSD USB HD. (If I do not get the Innuos)
7. Does anyone have experience with the Shiit Gungnir mulitbit with the Bluesound streamer, or other competitive product? I have read many good things about Shiit and want to buy American and a company with top notch service.
Your experience, advise, recommended products in my price range is very much appreciated. It is a rare to have this opportunity to get great advise without pressure to buy something on the spot. I very much value everyone in this forum. Thank you! Paul