+1 Kalali.
B
B
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
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- 20 posts total
In a modest streaming bedroom system, I use the Node 2 with good results direct into an Acurus amp and a pair of Jamo bookshelf speakers. You just can't beat the compactness and good quality of this simple set-up. Does anyone hear improvement with an aftermarket power cord on the Node 2? For this purpose I wish that it had a standard IEC female instead of a cable box-type two-pin AC connector. |
I go direct with great results as well, however, I also think it's system dependent. For me the Node 2 has worked well as a preamp of sorts. I've used it this way with several amps, all without issue. In fact, I just took delivery of a Decware SE84UFO a couple days ago and once again, no issues and sounds fantastic. |
@dgarretson I've had an aftermarket power cord on my Node 2 for two months now. Adding the cord resulted in a quieter more relaxed sound; tone, detail and resolution all improved. I also had the C7 inlet on the Node 2 replaced (the prongs on the Node 2 are woefully undersized). This enhanced the improvements that the power cord made. Cullen Cable made the power cord as well as replaced the C7 inlet. Here's a pic of the cord and the C7 plug with the Node 2. http://https//www.audioasylum.com/forums/pcaudio/messages/16/169658.html http://http//www.cullencable.com/avius-series/ Cheers, Scott |
- 20 posts total