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Any advantage to Bluesound Node 2i Versus Streaming from PC

I'm trying a loaner Bluesound Node 2i streamer which salesperson said will sound better than streaming from my PC.  I doubted this since both are just feeding a digital signal to my Amp.  It's just zeros and ones right?   I have the Bluesound connected with a decent (not high end) digital coaxial cable to my Lyngdorf 3400.  The PC is connected with a cheap USB cable to the same Lyngdorf.  The sensitivity of both inputs is set to 0dB.  The bluesound is set to fixed volume and the PC volume is set to max.  I am playing Tidal through both input devices.  I am trying to discern if there is any difference in sound quality.  When played through the amp the bluesound volume is a whole lot louder than the PC.  I have not found a way to level match the two inputs for comparison.  The bluesound sounds good and is a lot louder per any particular volume setting on the amp.  Does this mean the Bluesound is sending a better signal to the amp?  Is the  coaxial cable a better medium to transmit the  audio signal?  Is this the reason it's louder?  Could the Tidal feed through Bluesound be better than the Tidal Desktop app on my PC?  I need some help as I have to decide by Saturday whether to keep the Bluesound or return it. Other than sound quality there are only minor advantages to owning the Bluesound which don't warrant the purchase.  My amp has a built in streamer but no built in Tidal (which is the reason I'm using the PC.)
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Showing 4 responses by ejlif

ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,366 posts
 
I assume you have the TDAI 1120?  Its all setup to receive roon RAAT via wifi so basically you could run the roon software on your windows machine and then send the signal over your network.  You don't need the node 2i it's just redundant if your amp is a roon endpoint.  It will do all that you want to do and you have the added benefit of getting into the world of Roon.  
ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,366 posts
 
The main draw with Roon is the awesome user interface as well as the sound quality is better than say iTunes.  You would have to run the roon core software on a computer then from there you can send to your DAC as a RAAT (Roon Advanced Audio Transport) which is the highest quality way to stream from Roon.  I hear it as far superior to airplay or spotify connect or Tidal even in my system.  Roon is a joy to use and explore your music far better than Tidal and it integrates Tidal so think of it as a way better Tidal user experience as well as better sound.  You can use your phone as a remote control to run roon or an iPad or a desktop app as well.  It's a little confusing to make sense of how it works. I was terribly confused when I first looked into it but I can tell you it's one thing I would never want to be without.  A roon lifetime membership is about the same price as a new node 2i
ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,366 posts
 
The Lyngdorf would be a Roon endpoint not the core.  The core software has to run on a computer or ideally a dedicated computer like the Roon Nuclues or others that serve sole purpose of running the Roon software. Personally I think Roon is essential and I would skip on all other upgrades until getting setup and settled with Roon but that is a whole other discussion.  I have 2 node 2is and they work great and also serve the purpose of being a Roon endpoint in a couple systems where I don't have a DAC that is a Roon endpoint.  I also like that they have a volume control right on them so you can just walk up to it and raise or lower the volume as well as skip or rewind a track. 
ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,366 posts
 
Roon is a deep dive if you take it.  I was frustrated at first with it but am so glad I stuck it out.  I can't imagine life without it.  It's the most important piece in my system.  Seems like many are confused by how it works.  Roon is the software (the core) that runs and controls all the files like your own local hard drive files or those through Tidal or Quobuz.  You need a computer and ideally a dedicated computer to run it.  Then the streamers are the end points.  They don't run the software they just are access points to be able to play to from the main (core) computer either wirelessly or wired depending on the unit.  I have many endpoints that also have access to Spotify connect so sometimes I use that in in that case Roon is not at all used.  It's nice for a streamer to have Spotify connect, Roon, airplay and bluetooth.  You are pretty much covered for anything if it has all four of those.  You can add Roon remote to any iOS or android (I think ) or desktop computer to be able to remotely control the core software.  
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