Just got a new Bluesound Node. Very disappointed!

To the original poster, I would return the B/S Node and perhaps try another one from another vendor to hopefully not get one from the same batch run. If it (the first one) is defective you’ll find out.

Sadly this goes for nearly anything in manufacturing the last two years. Manufacturing items in fits and starts due to Covid, supply chain issues, particularly the chip shortages, has lowered overall statistical quality of many items from streamers to cars.

Since we know many have the Node and are happy with it at its price point, this tone anomaly does seem to indicate something is amiss. Good luck!

And thanks to @Alvin1118 for the heads up about the Auto Clock on the BS Node. Something to keep in the back of my mind if I ever get one.

Not to hijack this post, but obviously many of you on here have tried the gambit of low priced streamers up to ones far more than I could afford. 

My question is this:  How do you think the sound quality of an iPAD feeding an external DAC via USB compares to say the Bluesound Node feeding the same DAC via USB?  Would there be any noticeable or notable differences? 

Currently I use an iPAD to feed a Schiit Modi II but was looking at getting a Denafrips Ares II as my "end game" better DAC.  Would I hear (in theory) a better quality of sound, or does the limitation of the iPAD say I ought to get a better streamer as well one day to pair with the Denafrips? 

Thanks.