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Replacement/upgrade for Bluesound and Chord Mojo 2 streamer/external DAC combo

Greetings, I am looking for an alternative to my streamer/DAC combination.  Currently using Bluesound NODE N130 only as a source (Spotify/Tidal/local music library) feeding my Chord Mojo 2. Mojo 2 is designed to be a headphone DAC/Amp, but it has better use as an external DAC feeding my integrated amplifier for home audio use, better sound than running it direcly via the Bluesound.  The USB port in the Bluesound connects my music library stored in an SSD, so USB connection to Mojo 2 (supposedly give better signal) is no longer an option.   

Looking on how to improve my setup:
- Upgrade kit and linear PSU for the bluesound.  Many reviews commented on the quality upgrade in Bluesound from the kit, but wonder if anyone has any experience with the upgrade kit (from PD creative or other brands) improvement on Bluesound when running through external DAC? Will it be a noticeable or marginal difference, since i am already using Mojo 2?

- Replace the Mojo 2 with other dedicated external DAC

- Replace the Bluesound and Mojo 2 all together and find a better streamer/DAC alternative? Cambridge CXNv2 came across to my mind, 

My current setting:
- Accuphase E-380 integrated amplifier and Nordost Blue Heaven power cord
- Dynaudio Evoke 10 and Nordost Red Dawn speaker cable
- Bluesound NODE N130, a Taiwanese made RCA to mini coax cable and an aftermarket power cable (not clear what brand, but thick enough cable for the Bluesound)
- Chord Mojo 2 and Nordost Blue Heaven iKable 3.5mm to RCA cable

Not looking to spend much $$$ for the streamer/DAC alternative and not planning to replace my other components, as i am content enough with the rest.  Any comment/feedback is appreciated.
 

nothelle
nothelle OP
8 posts
 

Thanks everyone for the input.

@soix unfortunately musician and denafrips is out of my budget for now, but will consider it for next upgrade.  

@glennewdick yes i agree, Mojo does sound nice and i am quite content with it. But hopefully something can be done to enhance it further with minimal costs and unfortunately it’s quite hard to have a live demo with the exact same amp/speaker/cable combo.  It took me quite a while to come to the accuphase/dynaudio combo and actually listened to them live together.
 

Seems the consensus for the most economical solution for now is the bluesound upgrade.  I am eyeing on LHY audio, price is quite lower than pd creative and teddypardo and shipping is nearer, no need to ship it halfway around the world.  Wonder anyone has opinion on this LHY audio? Also i’ve read there are two options for the 5V LPS, a 25watt and 50watt, the later seems to be recommended for external ssd use with bluesound, which is what i intend to do, but is it just gimmick or will the 25watt suffice?

Cheers,

hdm
1,075 posts
 

Just a heads up that you can purchase the LHY power supplies off Aliexpress for around $100 which seems to be a much more reasonable price ;)

The Sengterbelle R-core supplies are crazy good value at around that price as well. I have 3 of them here. 

nothelle OP
8 posts
 

Can you send me the link on aliexpress? I can only find one at $150 for lps and additional $70 for psu.  Alternatively there is one on taobao which sells it for around $160 lps+psu, shipped. Took quite a bit of effort to translate, but seems legit.

hdm
1,075 posts
 

Just punch in LHY 25 Power Supply in the Aliexpress search window and you’ll come up with at least 10-15 different sellers on Ali. Will depend on whether you want dual output and which output (dual DC 5V or single DC and single USB) and voltage.

I’m talking LHY LPS only which Soix linked to above on the Vinshine site, if it can be made to work with the Bluesound. Others can perhaps shed more light on this. 

For any 5V (or even higher voltage) devices with a barrel connection for power or any other USB power connection, it’s easy peasy. 

 

nwres's avatar
nwres
266 posts
 

For upgrading your Node, I would order the PD Creative board ONLY. It is about $85 plus shipping.

https://pd-cf.com/produkt/bluesound-node-2021-upgrade-low-noise-psu-interface/

Then order this Power supply from AliExpress. Select the 5V option. And tell them you want the output side of the supplied cable that goes into the PD creative board in the Node to be 5.5 x x2.1 for the DC plug.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832703217960.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.779d505asKkaws&algo_pvid=ebf2ffc3-7ac4-4c52-b529-aeaa17ec8069&algo_exp_id=ebf2ffc3-7ac4-4c52-b529-aeaa17ec8069-2&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%227%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%7D&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2171.99%2161.19%21%21%2171.99%2161.19%21%402103010e17442483043134682ea44c%2112000030521543645%21sea%21US%211761543796%21X&curPageLogUid=XcohpLzIPWrV&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A&tblci=GiDkHYAKHFliBBPKNM9ILkVK6EMpprrmDH_1qb1BJ667kiDA9m4o9tP22ZGM9L8ZMKjbXg#nav-description

These two items are a cost effective way to elevate your sound. And I agree with others that a good used R2R DAC would be a great next step.

Good Luck!

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