Bluesound Node 2

I also own a Bluesound system.....also started out the  vault 2 and Node 2 for my living room.  Plans are to add a power Node 2 for the3 season porch on the desk (will also cover the deck itself, a Pulse 2 (to move around when needed and another Node 2 to connect the 2 channel system in my main listening room in the basement.My "take" on the Bluesound is it is a very well designed whole house wireless music system.  How the sound quality is pretty good but does depend on what type of music files one uses.  It pretty much took me all of last winter and into early spring to "digitize" my whole music collection (vinyl LP's  approx 600 LP's, my CD collection 2490 CD's).into FLAC files.
Bluesound make it a alot more easier to locate & play an album or a track. with  pretty good sound quality but I still use my main music play back system in the basement for my "serious" listening (LP's & CD's).  I will say I have not ventured into high rez music files yet and at tis point do not know if I ever will with 44,000 + music tracks in the system I think I am pretty well set now......LOL.  But do want to say I am more than happy with the Bluesound system being my first venture into wireless music systems and will also state that any serious music listener/fan should own one.

I also use a Node 2 as an only source in a bedroom system to stream Tidal (MQA whenever available) directly to my amp from my router.  Same or similar setup as the OP appears to use.  I too am extremely impressed.  SQ is better than streaming through an Oppo 105 or other digital sources that I have also tried.

I also am very interested to see (hear) if anyone has used an outboard DAC to improve the sound quality from the DAC built into the Node.  None of the previous responses seem to address the OP's original question.  If anyone has had any luck with an outboard DAC, please let us know which one(s) you have tried and what the improvements have been.  Also, does anyone know if you can connect the Node to transmit the necessary 192 signal for MQA?  My understanding is that the Node would unfold the MQA and then an outboard DAC could be used to improve SQ. Is that accurate?

The Bluesound Node 2 in my system links the FLAC ripped and verified music library stored on my NAS to an all tube sound system. The Node 2's interface software is run on an Android tablet which is adds convenience. An audiophile friend Bluetooth's his smart phone to the Node 2 to share new music with me (which has led to more than one purchase). One useful feature is shuffle which plays music I rarely listen to anymore. It's like accidental reunions when running into old friends! Good times. There's a lot of very cool, gee-whiz stuff in this tiny box!

The Bluesound's DAC is decent, though it lent a certain brittleness to my main system's sound. The brittleness wasn't noticeable on my less resolving retro-gear office system. The Node 2's hardware is fairly well thought out and the unit has a variety of output connectors. Connecting the Node 2 via coaxial digital audio cable to the digital input of my Opus 21's CD player's DAC cleaned up the brittleness nicely. For serious listening I still use the Opus. It just sounds more analog.

Unfortunately, though the hardware is sound (pardon the pun), it comes with an inexcusable downside. In the three years the Node2 has been in my system there have been three of what I consider P2 issues with their software/firmware. The factory tech support group is 0-for-3 in resolving them. Given the nature of the problems I will cut them some slack, but their inadequate responses exposes a lack of sophistication in their tech support group. Even that can be forgiven to a certain degree.

What can't be forgiven is that when they ran out of simple suggestions (and nothing I hadn't already tried), Bluesound resorted to blaming the end user for the problem. Their condescending attitude and comments did little other than to add fuel to the fire. That I eventually found workarounds for each of the problems on my own emphasizes Bluesound's tech support's ineptitude. To be clear, I'm not doing anything outside what Bluesound CLAIMS to support in their product specifications. Someone with a simpler setup or problems might be happy with their service. I'm not.

By profession and avocation I am a techie with deep and wide experience. I recognize and appreciate good support. As a downside, those leave me sorely disappointed with any vendor with poor technical service. Even moreso with tech who haven't been trained in how to work with customers. Luckily, I rarely encounter this kind of problem.
For now the Node 2 remains in my system. It's even playing right now. For me it's been a mixed bag of good and bad. YMMV.

bondmanp
2psyop: Did you use the DAC in the SBT, or anexternal DAC? Do you use the Node 2’s built-in DAC or an external DAC? How would you compare the sound of the SBT to the Node 2 in your system? TIA.

Sorry for the very late reply!!! I did use the original SB dac. not the SBT. I have used both the Node 2 DAC and an external DAC with it. The sound of the Bluesound Node 2 is much better than the SB. The Node 2 playing MQA files is very very nice. The Node 2 playing with an ext DAC is also very good, but BS Internal DAC with MQA still the best sound. I think the Node 2 as a budget streamer/DAC is an exceptional value. My experience with the customer suppport has been outstanding. They have been able to help me with many issues.
I use the Node 2 to play these kind of audio files;
1 Straight streaming of Tidal and Spotify albums via Benchmark DAC
2 Streaming of Tidal MQA albums via Node 2 DAC
3 Wired streaming of AIff files on Western Digital MyCloud HDD through Benchmark DAC
4 Wireless streaming of AIFF files on Western Digital MyCloud through Benchmark.

Am revisiting this discussion to add extra detail for future researchers.
I recently upgraded the (above referenced) Bluesound Node 2 to a Simaudio Moon MiND2. Both were run through the same DAC (Resolution Audio Opus 21) for comparison.
The Bluesound has decidedly better software and overall better firmware.

The MiND2 is three times more expensive than the Node 2. It requires a DNLA server (also not an issue) and can interface with products like Roon. It's a very well built product.

Pick the poison based on your desires.

The difference in the sound between the two was eye opening. Yes, the MiND2 is three+ times the cost of the Node 2. The MiND2 also doesn't include a DAC (though the Node 2's DAC isn't worth writing home about). The sound of the MiND2, and isn't that the teller, more than eclipses that of the Node 2. Even on a cost comparison basis. The MiND2 simply has SUBSTANTIALLY more of all the things audiophiles want: air, dimension, clarity, etc. This observation has been acknowledged by other with experience with both products.

But let's be fair. The Bluesound Node 2 is a good bang for the buck buy. In spite of certain support issues, it opened the door to my converting to a full digital front end (remote NAS storage. music server, DAC, etc.). A result with which I am very happy. Changing to the Moon server and a Benchmark DAC completed that move.

If you're just starting down the path of setting up a full digital front end, the Node 2 is a good, reasonably low cost starting point. If you're somewhat technically competent or have friends who are, or don't have an inordinately sophisticated network, you may be happy with Bluesound's support. Just don't plan on using their support for more than just the basics. 
Depending on the resolution of your system the Node 2 might be a good landing point. Just know that there are better options if you can stretch a bit.