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Bluesound Node2

Let me start by saying I'm a (very) late convert from vinyl into the digital domain. I finally got very curious  about what I might be missing and recently purchased a Bluesound Node2 and got a Tidal HiFi subscription. I have it connected to my preamp's MP3 connection and I think the sound quality is real good, CD quality depending on the original content. That said, I see a lot of folks buying either external DACs or preamp's with a built in DAC. Given that I don't use my computer as a source for music, are there any advantages in having a DAC? I do have an average quality CD player that I occasionally use but I'm now finding myself using Tidal more and more for almost all my "digital" content. Just trying to find out  what I'm missing. Thanks. 
 
128x128kalali
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,378 posts
 
All DACs sound different, and most think the differences are fairly significant. Your should try to listen to a few in the same system if possible before you decide if it's a worthwhile investment for you. This is an area of great improvement in the last couple of years.

If and until the market accepts it, MQA is another recipe of fairy dust. I would be hesitant to make any decisions based on MQA compatibility. Cheers,
Spencer
wtf's avatar
wtf
307 posts
 
I replaced my Mac mini with a Node 2 in April of this year and I haven't look back since. The on-board DAC (Burr Brown PCM5122) sounds just fine if you want to stop there. I have the Schiit Bifrost Multibit and the Chord Qute EX to play around with and both of these DACs sound quite a bit better than the on-board DAC and they should considering all. 
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,936 posts
 
I have a Sonos Connect that I originally tried it's built-in DAC, but then ran a coax cable to my outboard DAC and it sounds much better.

As stated above, it would depend on the DAC.
williewonka
3,068 posts
 
I just purchase the Node 2 and had the opposite experience of some of the above posters - I found the Node 2 sounded better than my Bifrost (with the 4490 upgrade).

I performed a side-by-side comparison and initially, could hear no difference. Then I replaced the stock power cable that came with the Node 2 and it opened it up and presented more details and clarity than my Bifrost - which I found quite surprising.

The Bifrost has been an excellent DAC and it had responded positively to great cables, but the on-board DAC in the Node 2 definitely has the edge when connected with those very same cables.

The Node 2 also allows me to cut the iMac umbilical - finally!

Simple to install, great sound, nice interface and my wife does not have to become a techy to operate it

FYI - I'm using the Node 2 connected via Ethernet - not wi-fi.

Bye Bye Apple :-o


williewonka
3,068 posts
 
I seem to be having some network issues and was told by their support that the NAS drive had to be connected to the same "switch/router" that the NODE2 was connected to.

Anyone else have an opinion as to how to connect a NAS to a Node 2

Many Thanks
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