Just installed a bluesound node 2i , quality not so good
Sounds flat vs streaming from marantz 5014 heos, which is more revealing and open. Both ways are wired. Is there a break in period? Otherwise it is disappointing.
I am listening thru b&w spkrs and mcintosh amp. And wired to analogue inputs of avr
The COAX OUT on the back of the Node 2i is still there for a reason.
The designers provided a good streamer platform with a decent Burr Brown 24/192 DAC inside the 2i series, and it works well as-is for most. However, if streaming is a must and you spent good money on amps and speakers, the option is there for those who want to pair it up with a higher grade external digital analog converter.
Connect a great external DAC to the Node2i, paired to a good amplifier and speakers, and bring the sound to a new level. The benefit of this has been discussed ad nauseam on many forums, fwiw.
Like listening to music filtered by a blanket. Node 2i needs a better dac. So disastifying. Avr’s with bluos handle music better. Waste of money for me.
i personally feel the node 2i/node is a terrific product, you just have to know what it does well and what it does not - it has an outstanding user interface (i still haven’t broken down to go roon yet), and it is a very nice (and exceptionally high value) bitstreamer
knew early on the dac inside was a throwaway, so never bothered to use it, but its spdif digital outputs are very good, and i have found it very useful to have several nodes grouped using the software, and thus delivering multiple identical bitstreams, thus allowing very easy direct a-b-c comparisons of multiple dacs
i tried more expensive streamers from auralic, innuos, aurender, mytek (some had nice dacs onboard, which is part of one pays for, no doubt) and as bitstream sources, try as i might, i could not for hear any sq difference from the node... interestingly, i could actually hear some more (but still subtle) differences across various digital cables than the streamers... 🤷♂️
Surprised you find the dac is less good than airplay to an avr. World class it’s not but it’s not horrible IME . A descent outboard would definitely make a different I believe. I can hear it for sure. Also a reclocker on the DAC makes a difference. I use a cheap IFI one and it makes a definite difference to my ear.
Interesting to hear your take jjss49. I always wonder about the expensive streamer and whether it is worth it. Seems people have vastly different opinions. The Node probably has the best interface and compatible with the most services. I was thinking a Melco but if the SQ is not there paying much more for a less fleshed out interface does nothing make sense. What’s the rest of your setup?
The new Node is a definite step up from the 2i. The analog outs are adequate for casual listing. Coax out, good DAC, whole different world. For what it is used for in my system, I see no need to upgrade.
BTW jjss49… try Roon. It’s great! Love the overall info and interface. Mine is specifically used with my NAS. Bluesound OS for most other streaming.
i have been told by so many friends/hifi nerd buds that i gotta do roon... it’s funny, we all do silly, illogical things sometimes... i will blow five grand to try a new dac without batting an eye, same to try some hot-sh*t amp, but i just won’t shell out 6 or 7 hundred bucks for a lifetime roon sub out of principle LOL... it is just goofy (maybe i get one of my sons to buy it for me as xmas present 🤣🤣)
There are more than a few threads on multiple forums over the past three years about the Node2i and use of external DACs costing up to 2-3x the price of the Node2i and use of really good digi coax and output cables for the dac to preamps.
+1 and agree with @jjss49and others here. Also, several friends who use the Node2i with some very nice external tube DACs and each compared the internal dac usage and RCA out vs. use of good external DACs instead, including non-oversampling R2R ladder dacs with great results. It makes a real difference.
I have a Vault 2i, its been great, although I have been using it with a DAC since day one. Sounds good for the money. I was a late adopter of digital files and streaming and it was perfect for me , and to archive my CDs. I would definitely buy a Node for a second room
Another thumbs down for the Bluesound. Just tried it on my Hegel 160 (built in DAC) - tried the Bluesound both with the Bluesound DAC and the Hegel DAC and the built in Airplay in the Hegel (with the Hegel DAC) sounds much better (especially the mid range). Surprised it was so noticeable. Back it goes.
Limited internal DAC. If you have good speakers and a transparent system, you'll hear the difference when comparing to a good external DAC plugged into the Node. Also, threads galore on this topic on Agon and other sites as you search more.
the nodes have been out there for quite a while, yet folks who claim to be audiophiles, come here and post, still lack an understanding of that the thing is...
Like listening to music filtered by a blanket. Node 2i needs a better dac. So disastifying. Avr’s with bluos handle music better. Waste of money for me.
You have a $500 streamer/Dac. If you want something better, spend $3K on an Aurilac.
This thread is so subjective. A dude with an AVR is complaining about the quality of the node? Come on already. I teed up the node back to back with a Lumin in my home for the weekend, struggled to come up with a difference. Had audiophile/musician friends come and listen to confirm. The OS plays a huge factor also, Lumin was abhorrent.
I just use mine for steam and hook it up to a separate DAC. The analog outfits are not impressive even on the news Node. Get a good digital cable. If you are on a budget, Get a Mogami 2964 cable from Amazon, costs about $45. If you are well heeled, consider a Kimber D60. You can save a bundle with a half meter for about $250. I run my Node into a Schiit Gungnir and it is special. I love it.
OP - My fried had the same product and said the same thing. He returned the BNode. He said it sounded better streaming into a separate DAC and using a different streamer. He ran it with SF Olympica speakers and Macintosh hybrid amp. I never got a chance to listen myself to the Bnode.
I returned the Note BNode and ordered the Wiim Mini. I thought for $100 I would give it a try. And it now does 24bit/192kHz. So far I think it is great. I use the optical out to the DAC in my Hegel integrated and the sound quality is excellent. It has all the features of the BNode I wanted and the iPad app is just as good.
I use node 130 USB connected to a Marantz HD-DAC1 to stream Qobuz. I've tried on board DAC analog out to preamp and didn't like the results. As a wifi streamer it works flawlessly.
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