Streaming Curious


I'm a vinyl listener that plays an occasional CD.  Im interested in trying out a streaming service and wonder if the Bluesound Node would be a good testing vehicle for me.  My main objective will be to see if the modern interface is really compelling, but SQ will obviously influence my decision.  I have an Air Tight ATM-300 amp and DeVore O/96 speakers, so I'm concerned it might not show off digital very well...?

Frank

128x128fburkeen

Well Tempered Verselex, Shelter 501mk3, Line Magnetic LP-33 Phono stage...  that's what I'd be comparing to.

@fburkeen I wouldn’t hold my breath. You’d need something better than the Bluesound. You will however get a feel for streaming capabilities with the enormous music library at your fingertips. That will be an interesting experience. 

I could add that I'm partial to Blues and Vocals, but listen to almost everything genre wise.  For me the air, soundstage, and musicality of my system are the key aspects.  From what I read the node may not give me much on the first two, but is musical.  

With Air Tight ATM-300 amp and DeVore O/96 speakers downstream…Node wouldn’t satisfy your appetite especially if you rely on its internal DAC.  Node is a good starting option to get your feet wet in streaming. Buy a used Node for now and later step up to one of the offerings from Aurender, Innuous or Lumin. 

Correct. You can start with the node. You can later add a DAC and improve the sound quality or get a better single box solution or even separates. Streaming can sound really good but comes at at a cost just like vinyl. Think of bluesound node as an equivalent of a Rega P1 with the included cartridge. It’s a stepping stone.