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Going from computer audio to dedicated streamer

A few days ago I purchased a Bluesound Node 2. Immediately after hooking it up I noticed a more relaxed less digital sound than I was getting from my Mac mini into my Wyred 4 Sound Dac-2. My hookup for the Mac was via a good usb cable into a Musical Fidelity Vlink192 coax into the Wyred 4 Sound. It is every bit as detailed as streaming Tidal through the Mac but is more "musical" and relaxed. An example would be on high dynamic contrasts the Mac could sound harsh and a little piercing in the highs. This was with every speaker I have owned. Not that it sounded bad overall, actually sounded quite good but I am loving this upgrade so far. No more messing with Amarra or Audirvana for me and dealing with the associated crashes etc.   
I am curious of others experiences good or bad moving away from computer audio to something else.
Also is anyone running an external hard drive with their music collection and running though the Bluesound or similar device and how is that working out?   
mofojo

Showing 5 responses by mofojo

mofojo OP
2,314 posts
 
ghosthouse
The Vlink 192 only has a USB input. I definitely would try this if possible but the Node 2 does not have a USB output. I am considering a wyred4sound remedy for this. The digital out from the Bluesound seems pretty clean but I'm sure could be improved with convertor. Since you are hearing an improvement makes me more curious to try one.
mofojo OP
2,314 posts
 
Yes I am currently running the node directly into the w4s via coax. The Vlink or similar reclocking device is to improve the jitter before entering the DAC. Sounds very good as is but I am curious if any improvement could be made with a device like this.
mofojo OP
2,314 posts
 
Does your DAC-2 have the femto clock in it? I am sending mine in to get converted to 110v from 220v and adding the femto clock. Not sure I'll hear any difference or not. I was thinking about going the V.2 route but decided to wait and see if they add mqa support. 
mofojo OP
2,314 posts
 
Using the internal DAC of the Bluesound. Very listenable actually. Not as detailed or deep as the DAC-2 but more listenable on less than stellar recordings. MQA tracks sound very good as well. 
mofojo OP
2,314 posts
 
kclone,
i could be wrong but I think the differences between streamers only outputing the digital signal to an external DAC would be the amount of jitter they produce. 
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