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Bridge II card PS audio.

I'm in the market for a direct stream dac. My question concerns buying with or without the bridge II card.I already stream through a Blusound node and am satisfied with the sound.Anybody out there have input on weather the the Bridge II was an improvement over a blusound node.The Mcontrol app for controlling bridge II is pretty clunky compared to the blusound app. I just want any input people have experienced having listened to the Bridge II over their stand alone streamer under say 700.00   Marc.

tmaker
arch2
308 posts
 

While I haven’t made a direct comparison of the bridge II versus the bluesound node in my system I do have the Directstream with the bridge II and my buddy uses the bluesound node in his system. Without question I prefer the interface of the node better than mcontrol app. Regarding sound quality I know it’s apples and oranges with two different systems but I can’t imagine one or the other being a huge improvement in sound quality except for maybe the node accepting wifi and the bridge II accepting only Ethernet.

What did make a slightly audible improvement for the bridge II is when I connected a wifi extender in my stereo room and used Ethernet from the extender to the bridge II which ended up being about 8 feet of cat5. Basically what that did is make the bridge II accept wifi. Wifi signals in my house seem to be better than the noise on a hard connected Ethernet cable.

I’m seeing a whole lot of Directstreams for sale lately and a number are without the bridge so if you are happy with the bluesound node I’d say save a few bucks and get a good deal on a Directstream sans bridge. Regardless of interface I really enjoy the DAC. Best of luck.

tmaker OP
31 posts
 

Thanks Arch.Though i will be using Wifi only to control the app,this is the type of input I'm looking for.

bigby
145 posts
 

Unfortunately I haven't streamed with a device under $700USD, so I can't comment on that compared to the Directstream.  However, I did give you information on the DAC after having used it for several years with Bridge. I was hoping you would find that information helpful.  In any regard, I wish you good luck in your quest for an answer.

fastfreight
689 posts
 

I replaced my Node 2 streamer / DAC with a Direct Stream with Bridge..

The DS / Bridge was far superior.  I never thought to try the node as streamer into the DS.  I run roon, so the op systems did not matter, and not a fan of BluOS op system  anyway.  The advantage of DS with bridge is that it eliminates a power cord and an interconnect as well as a box.  I do not think you would miss the Node at all, and sellable as well.

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