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Hardware Streamers

I am loving the feeling of the hi-res world at your fingertips with Tidal. Well, not really the world.  I'm currently using my laptop to deliver Tidal MQA streams and I would like to free up the laptop.  I've read some discussions here on the Bluesound Node 2 (now 2i) versus other devices.  My Hegel amp has a very nice DAC with a USB input, so I would use the digital out from whatever device I choose.  Some of you have indicated that you don't like the sound of the Node, but if I use the Hegel DAC, how much difference might I notice between it and something like the Aurender N100H.  The sound from my laptop is pretty good, but the laptop cost 1/3 of the Aurender.  Could I expect the Node to sound better/worse than the laptop?  What about the Aurender?

 Would love to hear from any of you who have used the Bluesound products and anything else in a reasonable price range (that is, if the N100h at $2700 is my upper end).
cstaples57
mahler123
3,312 posts
 
I use Bluesound, with the Vault2 in my two channel system and a pair of Node2s in HT systems around the house.  I haven’t used the usb connection to a DAC, but via the toslink they sound wonderful.
  I also have an Oppo 105 in my two channel system and I’ve experimented with using it to control my NAS and I would disagree with the previous poster who said it was inferior to Bluesound.  As a digital transport into the same DAC (Mytek Manhatten), they sound very similar.  Prior to my purchasing the Mytek I was using the 105 as my DAC, and the Vault2 was clearly sounding better as a transport into the Oppo than with it’s native built in DAC.  
  At any rate the OP will be using the Hegel as a DAC.  The Node2 is a really good value.  The control app could use some work but it’s improved compared to 2 years ago and is continuously updated.
when it comes to streamers the App is a huge part of the experience.
yashu
196 posts
 
I have the node2 as well as Oppo 105d.

Listening to Tidal through the Oppo is far superior to the node2.  Much more detail and a more well rounded musical presentation.  The node while very good just doesn’t compare to the oppo for sound quality.  The node is however more versatile with many more options (internet radio) available.
cstaples57 OP
5 posts
 
Yashu,

Are you using native DACs with the Node and Oppo when you do the comparison? 
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
Node2 or 2i do not support a USB output if that's all your DAC handles. The analog output is quite good unless you have a high quality outboard DAC.
cstaples57 OP
5 posts
 
Also has opt and coax inputs, so I should have it covered.
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