Just installed a bluesound node 2i , quality not so good

I agree with you hilde45, it is not horrible. I ran my Node,and then my Node 2 for a good 3 years or so with just the internal DAC. A couple of those was just with Spotify. When I moved into hi res streaming via Qobuz and Tidal,I was very pleased with the increase in sq.  I think for a lot of folks,the internal DAC is adequate. I still think it’s a great value for an all in one solution.

I was held hostage by a group of audio terrorists,and they forced me to use a DAC. It wasn’t like I had a choice! 

    Seriously, for me,I ran node products for a couple of years through the analog outs. I was pleased with the sound. I just wanted to see if I get better sound. Just like any other facet of this hobby. 

emergingsoul, what eq are you using with your Marantz? Direct? I’m not very familiar with Marantz AV receivers. On my Onkyo, I have various eq settings. IE; Orchestra,Acoustic,Theater,Direct. On the rare occasion I listen to stereo,I use 2ch Direct for best SQ. I hope I explained this right. 

I just received my new 2i yesterday. I already have a 2. So,as a little test, set up 2i via analog outputs. I listened to a couple of songs. I thought it sounded really good. Then I ran it through my DAC, played the same songs. I noticed better detail. The biggest thing I noticed was much,much larger soundstage,as well as better defined 3D soundstage. 

Just a question. On a brand new Node 2i running analog out,is there a burn in time where the sound might open up? I was thinking about this when I did my quick comparison. 

Yes it does! 

Thanks for the info bluedream.  I was curious as to burn in on the 2i. I’m running the 2i through an April Music Stello signature,and the 2 through a Beresford Bushmaster. Not hi end by any means. However I do prefer running the nodes through these DAC’s.  At some point,I’ll try the 2i through analog just for poops and grins. I ran my original Node analog for years and was actually pretty happy with the sound. I ran the 2 that way for a while and was just as happy.  And just recently I wanted to experience a DAC,and I’m happy I did.