new to streaming- help!


Hi all-

I'm a long time audiophile but have always gone the cd/vinyl route.  I am trying streaming but having trouble setting up a Bluesound Node X.  Something about my wifi it doesn't like...I am enjoying Tidal on my Macbook, however.  Which brings me to a question.  Would I get better sound quality anyway if I just connected my laptop to an external dac?  Should I scrap the Blue Sound?  And if go that route, does it matter if I have my laptop connected to ethernet, or will sound quality be the same on either ethernet or wifi?  (Asssuming a cable from MAC to DAC...).

Alternatively, would it make sense to run Tidal from Ipad to DAC? Or does one need  a streamer like Blue sound to do that?

I'm sure this will get sorted out, but feeling slightly overwhelmed at the moment.

Thanks!

Margot

mcanaday

Do whatever you need to get the computer outta the system.  It’ll be worth the effort.  Best of luck in getting that sorted, and if you provide more detailed info of what the problem is as mentioned above you may well find your solution right here.

Hi all-

Thanks for much.  I'll keep trying to sort out the Node x.  The issue is that neither my iPhone nor my MacBook recognize the player.  I do seem to be able to hook the Node X by ethernet and I can play music over bluetooth.  But as neither device recognizes the player, I haven't been able to set up Bluos or play music on Wi Fi.  I spoke to Blue Sound and they are also confused.  (I have unplugged, reset, deleted app and started again to no avail).  It may be a defective device or something wonky with the Wi Fi.  This is in a college dorm rather than private home.  If anyone has any ideas, please do let me know.  I may end up returning and trying another device.  

Thanks again, Margot

It has been a long time since I graduated from the bluesound node to a standalone streamer and DAC.  

I remember there were a few things that tripped me up.  

First don't try to do it wireless.  Plug it into the internet.  then you know you have internet.  If you want to go wireless, you can do that aferyou get it working (but wired is better sound).

Second, use the RCA outputs to your pre-in on your amp or to an input on your preamp.  

If you have a seperate DAC, you will want to use the optical output.  Unfortunately, the USB port on the back is not an output but an input for firmware changes, IIRC.

Good luck. Streaming is the way to go.  I just upgraded to my 3rd post Bluesound streamer with a pricetag an order of magnitude higher.  and your DAC will become the heart of your system and you'll want the best one you can afford.

Jerry

Bluetooth is a direct connection to the player, so we know at least the player functions correctly.

 

Are you trying to connect the Node to the campus wi-fi / local network? If so, the university IT staff may be blocking certain networking ports for security reasons. This may be what’s keeping your iPhone / MacBook from communicating with the Node.