I have a BS player module internal to my NAD M12 preamp/dac. I have had both versions. Could not tell the difference between the 2i and the older version. I also play the same apps, Tidal and Deezer via their apps from my pc that is also connected via a hdmi cable to my system. I can go back and forth between the two, as well as the same cd, and only occasionally tell the difference on well engineered recordings. That said, having multiple BS nodesaround the house is worth the affordable price.
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.)