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Bluesound Node 2 as a preamp?

Source: Bluesound Node 2
Amp: Belles Aria Integrated
Speakers: Vandersteen 2ce Sig II’s

Prior to last night I had been taking the analog outputs of the Node 2 and plugging them into 1 of the 3 stereo inputs on the Belles. I had read a thread here about bypassing the preamp and plugging the Node 2 directly into your amp. I did that last night by using the Bypass input on the Belles, using the volume control on the Bluesound OS app to conrol volume.

I don’t know if it’s expectation bias or some other phenomenon, but I swear my system has never sounded sweeter. More bass extension, more defined sound stage, better detail.

Has anyone else tried this experiment? What were your findings? Am I losing it?

Thanks!
Joe

128x128audionoobie

Showing 1 response by lalitk

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,068 posts
 
For a budget component, Node 2 does lot of things exceedingly well. As many already suggested, Node2 will sound better with outboard quality DAC. 

I have my Vault 2 connected to my ARC preamp and DAC. I listened to MQA tracks using Vault 2 analog output via my pre and non-MQA tracks using SPDIF out to my DAC. In both instances, Vault 2 provides very satisfying musical experience. 
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