2. digital
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Specific Node/Airplay question

I know very little about digital and don’t have much interest in it; I bought a Bluesound Node 2i a few years ago to try Tidal but canceled the subscription shortly afterwards. The Node sat unused for years. The other day I learned I can stream Apple Music over the Node; SQ wasn’t great, but it’s coming from my phone, so I wasn’t expecting much. Here’s my question… if I only use my Node to stream Apple Music from my phone, does having an external DAC make a difference? Or, is the music so compressed, that it won’t matter? I’m asking because I’m shopping for a new preamp and considering a McIntosh c2300. But there are C2500s (built-in DAC) for the same price and the c2600 (better DAC) for a little more. The C2700 is too expensive and I don’t plan to ever “up” my digital game; I’m a vinyl guy and this digital stuff would likely be for my wife.

ron325

Showing 1 response by wlutke

wlutke
713 posts
 

enj,

The streamer is connected to the net by wire or wi-fi. With Spotify Connect or Tidal Connect, their apps on your phone, pad or computer will control your streamer, which will connect directly to the source for the music stream. Just choose your streamer as player within the Spotify or Tidal app. The streamer must be compatible with the Connect feature, see specs. Hi-rez can vary - see specs. Qobuz Connect is reportedly in the works.

The quality of sound, wire vs wi-fi, is a hotbed of polarized opinion. As always, better gear gets better results. Be sure the streamer software supports your intended stream source to avoid Bluetooth.  Supported sources can be directly accessed via the streamers app.

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