New Bluesound Node – First Impressions

I've used a Node 2i for 18 months and I agree with many here that it's a great, easy to live with streamer with a mediocre DAC for a modest price.
An external, higher quality DAC definitely improved my SQ. A Morrow coaxial cable and $150 power cable helped a little.
I've had it set up on cat8, gigabyte ethernet originating from my Google Fiber Switch from day one.... didn't want to compromise the data stream with wifi. I think a good, fast, wired connection is important.
I have Spotify & Tidal and just started a 4 month free trial of Amazon. The Node 2i navigates the different sources very well.
For my modest system and my 66 year old ears, the Node 2i with better DAC is quite satisfying. 
Didn't see it mentioned in the discussion yet, but another new feature on the Node is an HDMI-arc input, which is intriguing. The idea of routing TV sound through my main system and outputting to a spare set of speakers at the TV might be an interesting project, since they are in the same room. The arc connection would allow the TV remote to control volume..so no extra remotes or pointing a remote to another part of the room where 2 channel audio resides.

Every one above is dead on as the internal DAC is the weak link. Ethernet hardwire with Supra Cat 8, build a power cord with cable and Furutech plugs from VH Audio, and a quality coax cable. Lots of great DACs out there that will walk all over the BS DAC. I went with a RME ADI 2fs DAC with Teddy Pardo power supply and I find with Qobuz it’s so close to CDs, good luck telling the difference.

If I compare my BS Vault 2 with RME/TP to my Cambridge 851C with its internal DAC which I was running my Vault through, then the first is superior. The RME/TP is in another league over the DAC in the Cambridge which is much better than the BS DAC. A quality stand alone DAC will make a world of a difference and then don’t skimp on the cables.

 All the cables on my streaming setup probably cost more than the components, as that’s what it took to pull everything I can out of equipment. Once you get it dialed in and if your DAC has preamp out, then go direct to your amp. Not sure before adding the Teddy Pardo power supply I’d prefer running my DAC direct, but with the Teddy, I prefer going direct. 
My first step when I picked up my Vault was power cord and even with the internal DAC it was noticeable. The Vault has to be hardwired so at first I used the ethernet cable that came with, then upgraded to the Supra which again was better. Next with a Nordost Silver Shadow coax I went through my Cambridge 851C and that was the biggest difference to that point. Next the RME DAC, pounced on the Cambridge, and to another level with the Teddy Pardo. Also added a SR Orange fuse to the Teddy. It’s sounds very good and I’m on the fence about pulling the Vault 2 out and look at a Lumin U1 mini with probably another Teddy Pardo power supply.

To wrap it up, don’t expect too much out of the NODE on its own. It can become a really good streamer but it will take more of everything which you can take your time with. Have fun.

I was disappointed with the Node (2i) DAC and cured that with a Schiit Bifrost. Great sounding thing.

You compared a 500$ streamer to a $1000 or so disc player, not a fair comparison .....
The Bluesound is a wonderful piece of kit for what it cost and probably better than a disc player of the same price range and yes, the dac can be improved but the same is true for a cd player.

 The equipment that you have deserves a much better streamer than the Bluesound. There are numerous posts on Audiogon which mention  appropriate options. I have a Pure Audio Lotus 5 that I am happy with but you might like to look at streamers even higher up the food chain.