You could find yourself spiralling "out of control" once you start down the path of streaming devices - it really depends on how good you want it to sound - But that is what this hobby is all about - isn’t it?
The more affordable streaming devices like the Bluesound Node 2 will probably sound better than your laptop/phone/DAC combo right from the start - but it can also sound so much better if treated to some good power and interconnect cables - and this is where the spiralling starts.
But - what is your definition of streaming? just services like Spotify, Tidal?
For me - streaming is simply an infrastructure that allows me to play ALL digital content, whether it be...
- internet radio stations
- streaming services like Spotify, Tidal etc...
- Digital content from my NAS drive - I’ve ripped my CD library to the NAS
- Digital content from USB sticks from friends and my Android phone
So I wanted a single component that allow me to
- accomplish this with ease - i.e. setup, intuitive interface, infrastructure
- not be reliant on USB - with its various issues
- have great technical support,
- not be at the mercy of the latest OS updates,
- play resolutions up to 24/192
- have an intuitive multi platform user interface
- but most of all - sound fantastic
The Node 2 has lived up to my criteria.
I started by using a computer connected via USB to my Schiit Bifrost DAC and after a lot of cable tweaking, Still had to deal with OS upgrades, software upgrades, etc...
Making the transition to the Bluesound Node 2 that uses Ethernet for internet connectivity has been amazing.
Bluesound provides regular software and services updates and I'm yet to have one fail. The interface is intuitive to use and I have only had to call tech support once, but even then it was my router that was at fault.
But the bottom line here is really....
- if YOU are happy with your sound using the software/hardware you have available - then stick with it and don’t worry about other solutions.
Regards - Steve
The more affordable streaming devices like the Bluesound Node 2 will probably sound better than your laptop/phone/DAC combo right from the start - but it can also sound so much better if treated to some good power and interconnect cables - and this is where the spiralling starts.
But - what is your definition of streaming? just services like Spotify, Tidal?
For me - streaming is simply an infrastructure that allows me to play ALL digital content, whether it be...
- internet radio stations
- streaming services like Spotify, Tidal etc...
- Digital content from my NAS drive - I’ve ripped my CD library to the NAS
- Digital content from USB sticks from friends and my Android phone
So I wanted a single component that allow me to
- accomplish this with ease - i.e. setup, intuitive interface, infrastructure
- not be reliant on USB - with its various issues
- have great technical support,
- not be at the mercy of the latest OS updates,
- play resolutions up to 24/192
- have an intuitive multi platform user interface
- but most of all - sound fantastic
The Node 2 has lived up to my criteria.
I started by using a computer connected via USB to my Schiit Bifrost DAC and after a lot of cable tweaking, Still had to deal with OS upgrades, software upgrades, etc...
Making the transition to the Bluesound Node 2 that uses Ethernet for internet connectivity has been amazing.
Bluesound provides regular software and services updates and I'm yet to have one fail. The interface is intuitive to use and I have only had to call tech support once, but even then it was my router that was at fault.
But the bottom line here is really....
- if YOU are happy with your sound using the software/hardware you have available - then stick with it and don’t worry about other solutions.
Regards - Steve