I'm beginning to wonder if there is a hard upper limit for most audiophiles when it comes to digital?
I apologize because it's harsh, but it needs to be said.
I apologize because it's harsh, but it needs to be said.
New Bluesound Node – First Impressions
I'm new to streaming. To get started, I ordered the new Bluesound Node, the just-released successor to the Node2i. It arrived Friday. System: Sonus faber Olympica III speakers, McIntosh MC402 power amp, Magnum Dynalab MD208 used as a preamp, Denon DCD-1600NE SACD/CD player, and various cables, mostly Audioquest. I offer my first impressions, FWIW. I don't claim any particular expertise.
I connected the Node to the pre via Audioquest interconnects. It doesn't accept my aftermarket power cords. Used wireless, not ethernet. I have free trial subscriptions to Amazon Music and Qobuz.
First, Amazon Music. Tried some Beethoven, and some Rameau, with poor results. Compressed, tinny, and unlistenable. 10 minutes of Amazon HD was more than enough.
Next, Qobuz. Brahms, Schumann, Led Zep, Bowie. A very substantial improvement on Amazon HD. Notably, on the same tracks, the Qobuz high-rez sounded significantly better than the Qobuz CD-quality. Differences were immediately apparent on Led Zep's Dazed and Confused, available in both formats.
But the Qobuz high-rez can't compare with CD quality sound on my system as currently configured. On the same recordings, CD quality is clearly superior to Qobuz high-rez played through the Node. Detail, presence, dimensionality – there's no contest.
As a means to explore music to purchase on CD, the Node, playing Qobuz, may or may not suffice. As a substitute for CDs, I very much doubt it will do.
Let me re-emphasize that these are only my first impressions. I don't know how the Node will sound after further break-in, or with an ethernet connection, or with an external DAC, or with different interconnects/preamps/amps/speakers, or with other streaming services. I hope this post is helpful to other forum members considering this or similar equipment.
Showing 6 responses by david_ten
Any guesses on the BOM for a device that lists for $549 retail? If we are bypassing the DAC and analog outputs, which I fully endorse, can we also assume the functional / usage BOM is one half of device BOM? I agree that DIY cables and aftermarket cables will elevate performance of the unit. @tomic601 ’s excellent choice of the Audioquest Diamond Optical cable comes in at $499 list for a 0.75 meter run. Adding a custom power cable and an aftermarket LAN cable leads to my question: For those of you using the Bluesound Node / Node 2i, what are your reasons for not moving up the network server / streamer chain (commensurate with your cable expenditures)? Thanks! |
@tomic601 Jim, thanks for your response. I didn't want to complicate my question by adding your DAC into the mix. : ) I was also reaching out to others who mentioned upgrading cables. I'm with you on the DAC. On a similar thread to this one, I advised the OP to focus on a standalone DAC (and minimize the streamer spend), since he's coming from analog and has a decent setup. If you are curious, I encourage you to consider other streamers given the level of your DAC and cabling (not to mention your interests and experience). I'll let Michael Lavorgna make my point (as he moves from a Raspberry Pi 4 and up) with the Primare NP5 Prisma Network Player...via this review and write-up: https://twitteringmachines.com/review-raspberry-pi-4-a-70-roon-ready-streamer/ There are options above the Primare which would deliver, for a slightly higher spend. Here is a somewhat dated and partial list from Lavorgna: https://twitteringmachines.com/streaming-dacs-a-list/ |
@brunomarcs There are reclockers that also offer galvanic isolation. The easiest (and least expensive) option is to try a non-powered galvanic isolator first. This will improve sound quality. As you are doing your research, check out Audirvana. It is optimized for MacOS / Apple Silicon (and Windows 10). It also hosts Tidal. But it is much more than that! |
I use a Mac book pro wireless and usb to a pagoda balanced, will a node 2I deliver more than the Mac? @brunomarcs If you mean sound quality when you ask "deliver more"... Then NO, the Node will not deliver more. You can push sound quality further upwards from your Mac Book Pro chain if you add a galvanic USB isolator in the chain. This is a simple example of how to optimize sound quality. Another is the use of a USB reclocker. There are other device / hardware options as well. Then there are software based approaches to optimize the laptop for sound quality ’delivery.’ Audirvana is an example. Ideally, one uses both (software and hardware). You will be surprised and thrilled with the results. : ) If you are referring to usage features, the answer would depend on the specific feature on the Node versus the Mac Book. |