Got a Node 2i, what's next?

Digital can be as good as vinyl although at a bit more cost, also it can be fully satisfying at the same cost. Where it becomes compelling is with good quality digital equipment and Tidal or Qubuz streaming services. Suddenly you have access to a nearly infinite amount of very high quality music. There are times my digital end was better than my analog end. But consider for the price of one album a month, nearly an infinite library. Many recordings remastered in higher quality than red book. Also, digital streaming is the future. I like vinyl, I have 2,000 albums in pristine condition. I listen to streaming 85% of the time. Go hear a great streaming system and it will blow you away. Nothing wrong with vinyl, it is still the absolute best quality sound at the same cost. But keep in mind digital can be breathtaking... but not at the $500 level.

I love my BlueSound Node 2i.  The dealer talked me in to adding a ProJect S2 DAC and I felt the bass sounded thin.  I sold the DAC on Audiogon for half price.  I still would like to hear crisper highs.  Maybe it is time for new speakers.  I stream Tidal and love it.  I would be curious to hear some more expensive DAC’s.  However I think the difference in sound quality is like splitting hairs.  I think there must be a time when you say enough is enough and be satisfied with what you have.

What still amazes me is how very few people own a stereo system.  A realtor has been sending me listings of homes on the market in our area for years and I yet to speakers in any of their rooms.  People buy $7,000 entertainment cabinets with a wide screen TV and they are listening to the speakers on their TV.  You have got to be kidding me.  A lot of these homes are on the market for over $1 million.

My advice is to send your node 2i back, and get the Cambridge Audio CXN V2 which has a good dac built in.  It runs about $1k and includes your dac and streamer

My advice is to send your node 2i back, and get the Cambridge Audio CXN V2 which has a good dac built in. It runs about $1k and includes your dac and streamer

Not an option, it doesn't support Amazon HD, only SD via chromecast.  The wife is used to Amazon, and I'd get all kinds of grief if she had to learn other interfaces.  The wife and technology don't mix well.

I’ve had two Node 2’s feeding several DACs ... and have used them in two separate systems, one a CJ preamp/amp setup into Focal 1028be’s, the other a secondary system feeding into a Rogue Integrated Sphinx V3 into Monitor Audio Silver 200s. 
I started with the Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ (which is great but out of your desired price range), a dragonfly cobalt (which has no business being used for anything other than iPhone or computer speaker use), a Topping D70s, and an RME Adi-2 DAC fs (the latest one with the upgraded chipset)...
While everyone’s ear and system is different, I think the Topping is very good bang for the buck - no distortion, good detail and excellent transparency (and perfect for my smaller system) though lacks the depth, staging of the Mytek or RME. As for the others, I had the Mytek for 3 yrs and loved it but just did my own side by side in my CJ/focal setup comparing the Mytek and the RME and I have to say, the two are sonically very close. The Mytek may win a bit on soundstage but the RME wins on clarity of detail. Again, both are great and very very close performance wise. And the RME has more features and ability to fine tune, which takes a while to get the hang of but I enjoy those benefits. Which led me to sell my Mytek, and I got hundreds more back for what I paid for my new RME... !
net, try different DACs and see what suits you... but RME is fantastic especially for the price. Hope that helps!

My Node 2i runs through a Neko Audio D100 MKII; that DAC is available with balanced or unbalanced outs, and I think it's currently available for $1000 (normally $1500). My integrated amp is a Belles Aria, and I use Amazon HD.

For what you are looking for, I don't know that spending any more would be prudent. I'm very pleased with using the streamer to discover new things, and some selections sound fabulous (try "Harry Belafonte Sings the Blues"). I play cd's and vinyl more, but the Node is a steal of a deal. Simple to use, and I've had no trouble with the interface.

I'm using the Ares II with my Node 2i.  

If digital music is giving you headaches and vinyl is not, you have the wrong speakers. 

Another vote for RME ADI2 Pro. Unbeatable with any of the other options. Schitt is loved in my book, but RME is a crazy good product. I wish it made a difference in connecting my Mac Mini to my powered Dynaudio speakers. 

Listening is subjective, but I couldn’t disagree more with the OP statement that the Node sounds like it’s out of the 1990s, not if it’s paired with a decent DAC.  I have one in an HT system that I paired with an old PSAudio DigitalLink  3, vintage 2006, and it really sounds good.  One of these DACs probably goes for $150 now
The included DAC with the Node is very limiting—it would be like listening to a turntable with a $20 cartridge.  Since the OP seems not to care, basing all his judgements of digital on low end stuff, I wonder what he is trying to achieve with this thread.  He could just blue tooth it and be happy.    Sorry to be curmudgeonly, but I get tired of people posting here “I don’t like digital, I am not willing to make any investment to be persuaded otherwise, but recommend me something cheap that will blow me away”. That’s like asking the Detroit Lions to claim some guy on waivers that will take them to the Super Bowl 

@mahler123

Listening is subjective, but I couldn’t disagree more with the OP statement that the Node sounds like it’s out of the 1990s, not if it’s paired with a decent DAC.

That is the point of my thread.  I'm looking for a dac in the $500-$1k price range to pair with the node 2i.  Not sure how you missed that.

The included DAC with the Node is very limiting—it would be like listening to a turntable with a $20 cartridge. Since the OP seems not to care, basing all his judgements of digital on low end stuff, I wonder what he is trying to achieve with this thread.

See above.

Sorry to be curmudgeonly, but I get tired of people posting here “I don’t like digital, I am not willing to make any investment to be persuaded otherwise, but recommend me something cheap that will blow me away”.

What thread were you reading? 

I'm not looking for state of the art, at least right now.  I'm looking for the best sound I can find in a dac within my current budget.    I'm not looking to be "blown away".  I don't dislike digital in principal.  You already agreed that the Node internal dac isn't adequate.

So, I really don't understand the basis for your rant.

My suggestion would be the Denefrips Ares ll. Buy a Shunyata Venom digital cable for your Node 2i, you’ll thank me!

OP, I owned a TNT long ago and then tried the Classic 3 they are very nice tables just not for me. I really like my Exemplar Audio tube Oppo 105 it's a very analog sounding CD player. I was content with cd and vinyl. I tried streaming just for background music and to find new music to buy cd's and albums. I think if you bought a MHDT or same type dac sold your node and found a Auralic streamer with femto clock or equal quality streamer for around $600 bucks you may rethink your turntable situation. Maybe all in little over $1000 with sale of node. If you can find used you can sell them fast without losing a dime. I spent 15% on streaming compared to vinyl and listen to 80% streaming compared to my records, I did not expect this to happen.

@vinylzone     I cannot suggest a DAC, but simply to explore and you will find how nice hi-res streaming can be.  I bought an integrated last year that had a very nice built-in DAC as a bonus.  I also picked up the Node2i and sometimes the digital version is really close to vinyl.  I am still quite a newbie to streaming.  I did a quick comparison of Qobuz, Tidal & Amazon HD and didn't hear much difference so stuck with Amazon as it offered other family bonuses with the service.  Good luck finding a good DAC as you can absolutely far surpass the onboard DAC in the Node2i

Hello,
I own the Node 2i and love it. There are better DACs like a Lumin D2. Based on what you are using it for do not upgrade by getting a cheap DAC. I have compared that DAC in the Node 2i with other DACs costing more than the Node2i. Unless you want to change the sound signature do not waste your money unless you go past $1,000. If you want a R2R get the Denifrips Pontus. Look for used, people upgrade all the time. If you want a chip based unit go with the RME. The RME has an adjustable EQ. Both of these will be perfect for a long time. If your system is tubes stay away from the Ares II. Too mellow. Bottom line try before you buy. Below $1k you are wasting your money. If you have a good power cable lying around get the nema c13 to C7 adapter on Amazon. Or the Nordost Purple Flair.  The power cable makes a BIG difference. If you want to remove some of that digital sound add a Puritan Classic cable with the C7 end so it is ready to go. It also comes in matching black or white colored sheath. The store in the Chicagoland area sells BlueSound, Lumin, Nordost and Puritan. For the DACs you will have to order online. https://holmaudio.com/
This is the store. Sadly BlueSound  discontinued the PowerNode 2i but they have the Node2i. They also ship! The DAC will be worth it once you get well above the level of the one in the Node2i. 

I own the Node 2i and love it. There are better DACs like a Lumin D2. Based on what you are using it for do not upgrade by getting a cheap DAC. I have compared that DAC in the Node 2i with other DACs costing more than the Node2i. Unless you want to change the sound signature do not waste your money unless you go past $1,000.

I’m starting to think this may be the best way to go.

I left the Node 2i streaming 24/7 over the weekend and into last night to see if a significant break-in made a difference.

Last night, my wife’s sister called (usually around a hour of the wife yelling back and forth that I didn’t want to listen to), so I retreated to the listening room waiting for the "I’m done" text.

I didn’t feel like firing up the turntable, so I decided to sit down and listen to the node 2i. I just threw on my classic rock playlist, and the first couple of songs were OK. Then Whole Lotta Love from a remaster of LZII. I was actually surprised at how good it sounded, so I queued up the whole album.

Ok, so it wasn’t perfect, not quite as good as the vinyl, but almost everything was there frequency and detail wise , and the imaging was almost holographic, seeming to extend behind and in front of the speakers. Not as emotionally engaging as the early vinyl pressing. I wouldn’t quite call the sound bright, but maybe slightly harsh at the top. Symbols weren’t quite right, but close. Overall, listenable, and a bit surprising.

I listened to a few other tracks, and came to the conclusion that although the break-in time had something to do with it, most of the issues I was hearing before probably has much more to do with the quality or lack thereof of recording, which no dac will really fix.

I’m still on the fence, but now I’m seriously considering that I might just stick with the Node 2i, make the other changes I want to my system, and then revisit the dac thing with a higher budget in mind once that’s done.

@vinylzone .... that’s very easily accomplished. If you have reached the point where your audio resolution is detailed enough to reveal the difference between interconnects and you want to put some time and effort in you will probably find your home brew is far from the best. If you are using the Node without an outboard DAC you have every right to a headache. Get a decent streamer, on a decent power cord, with a top tier DAC on appropriately auditioned digital cable and you may find your vinyl gives you a comparative headache.
It’s easy.. do cheap bottom tier digital and you get cheap bottom tier digital sound. No surprises there. FWIW, I’ve sold my share of cables that didn’t work very well on eBay. That doesn’t mean I make good or great cables.
As far as a DAC goes....   I'm using a Benchmark DAC 3b .. Stereophile A+ recommended component being fed by both a Cambridge CXNv2 streamer and the digital output of a Sony SA 5400Es .CD/SACD player.  I stream Qobuzz hi-rez and Tidal hi-fi as well as having access to Amazon Prime Music and Spotify, and my own complete CD collection via Chromecast..... and that is all at the tap of an app without ever leaving my chair.
As far as your vinyl..  you are comparing your vinyl playback system to a $500 digital instrument on home brew cables.  Somehow I think you have waaay more than $500 in your vinyl system, maybe way more in just the cartridge, without arm, without table.  You are totally restricted in what you can listen to by the medium you have chosen. For the cost of 5 or 6 records a year you can have access to almost anything in or out of print.... millions and millions, unrestricted.

I was really surprised how dacs respond to better feet. If you want to try to squeeze a little more resolution out of your node give it a try. I know my CD player benefits due to the transport but had no idea how big of an improvement some fairly cheap footers could do. I had some old Golden Sound jumbo's and some black diamond racing cones laying around in a box so I gave it a shot. Not a small improvement either, very noticeable as soon as I hit play. 

@midareff, 
Nice observation. 
Particularly, 

'It’s easy.. do cheap bottom tier digital and you get cheap bottom tier digital sound. No surprises there.'
Charles 

@midareff

  @vinylzone .... that’s very easily accomplished. If you have reached the point where your audio resolution is detailed enough to reveal the difference between interconnects and you want to put some time and effort in you will probably find your home brew is far from the best.

Again I'm not looking for world beating digital right now.  And yes, I don't have anything in my system that cost me less than $500 except some accessories.  

I've had systems that easily reveal differences in cables for the past 40 or so years.  That's why I make my own.  Not that I've tried thousands of cables, but I've compared them to some very costly cables, and what I've found is that either some very expensive cables are meant to fix problems with certain components or system sonics, or they're really very good and but extremely overpriced.

I use some of the best copper and connectors available, and I use an interesting geometry I stumbled onto around 30 years ago.  I also built my own cable conditioner device.  They measure 73pF per meter and take me about 8 hours per meter pair to construct.

So yeah, you can spend thousands on a cable that works well in your system.  I don't have to.

I regret to have to say this but the customer service for this company has fallen considerably. They obviously put out a product that performs reasonably well at a very competitive price point.

I have had a similar experience with Verizon in which the difficulty level of simply canceling or returning an item far exceeds anything in my lifetime. All I can say is buyer beware. WOW 😱

hshifi,

where did you hear that the PowerNode 2i was discontinued? It’s been unavailable for a while on the BlueSound website, but I assumed it was because of production problems.
BTW, I got the Node 2i when I decided to transition to streaming. Upgraded to the PowerNode 2i w/HDMI due to space issues and the high WAF rating.

New Node2i replacement with upgraded DAC will be out very soon.

I have the Anthem 1140 and think that it’s  pretty good. But thinking about Cambridge CXN 2 or the Nodi 2i and using the optical.  Any thoughts. 
Thanks

The new Node will be widely available shortly, same price.It is just called Node.A decent review here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5J-EJL0D9U

And yes OP, an external DAC connection is worth the cost of some optical or TosLink interconnects.The new one may sound somewhat better, but you have full control with an external DAC.

May I suggest a different approach. Ignore the comment that you need to pay well above $1000  There are old top of the line DACs available that will outperform a lot of expensive modern DACs.

I own an old Wadia 15, which plays redbook only and plays in a way that leaves me no desire to bother with hi-res. I have compared this unit to many others and with what I have heard it's still a contender. The Wadia heft is famous and is a polar opposite to the modern headache inducing detail monsters that are being produced in ever increasing numbers.

Hooking this up to your Node will be an improvement for sure but would also stand you in good stead should you upgrade to separate streamer. Do not be concerned that it can't decode MQA which has recently been called a scam here on the Gon!
They seldom come up for sale, I see one on hifishark now for $1500.  It is built like a tank and weighs about 15Kg. Will probably outlive you :)

There are others to consider, like Theta Gen V, Mark Levinson, Manley etc.

I'm holding off on a separate DAC for now until I get some other things in order.  I think I have my preamp set now.  I'm going to get a few small things sorted out on my analog rig first, and then it's a tossup on whether I go with a new power amp or the dac at a higher budget than the $1k I specified.

And honestly, I think that my old preamp was partly responsible for the glare I was hearing with the Node.  It's not nearly as prominent now, and detail is quite a bit better, so I can live with the Node for now as I use it mostly for background and checking out new and different music.

Thanks for all the suggestions.