Bluesound Node 2i vs Upscale streamers
For just a little money there is a road to big improvement of the Bluesound Node series. PD Creative makes a plug’n’play internal power board with external supply for the 2i and the new NODE. At about $125 US dollars delivered, anyone with an external DAC needs it yesterday - “It’s not subtle” doesn’t do it justice. My 2i is twice the streamer it was. My new NODE is stunning at it’s cost (IMO). Big words, I know. Have faith. It’s the best return for my money I’ve ever gotten in this God forsaken hobby. Period. All that’s needed is a philips screw driver. The back trim panel is held in place by magnets. Disclaimer - I am not affiliated with nor have anything to gain from PD Creative. I am stoked at getting so much for so little. NODE > MHDT Orchid DAC> Herron 360 > Pass Xa25 > Acoustic Zen Crescendo II & REL SHO S/5 |
rotten1, I’m using the budget one supplied by Creative (available as a package). It’s a Mean Well like this one: https://www.alliedelec.com/product/mean-well/gsm40b05-p1j/70462532/ Very inexpensive and widely available from $20 - $25. They also offer an upscale PS but I’ve not heard it. Some say Sbooster is tops. https://www.sbooster.com/botw-pp-eco-5v-6v/ |
I am working with a sales person at The Cable Company. So far, we have upgraded my speaker wires and power cord. I do hear a difference. I am hearing greater detail and space. I stream now 100% of the time. My sales person said the next step is to improve the signal of the source. He also says the DAC inside the BlueSound Node 2i is not as good as my ARCAM AVR550. This makes sense because how can a DAC inside a $550 BlueSound be as good as a DAC inside a $3,200 ARCAM compare in quality.
What do you think? I will spend about $800 which is more than the BlueSound. |
