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My Bluesound Vault 2 died. Where to next?

Don't know what happened-- I approved a player upgrade (not the software) as I have many times before, and now I have a steady red light and my app can't find the player.  The unit was purchased new in 2014, so I guess that's pretty good for a modern computer-type thingie with a spinning-disc hard drive.  I have all my music backed up in uncompressed .wav and also have the CDs, so I'm not freaking out, but I am a bit overwhelmed since there are so many more options now than in 2014.

In my setup, I fed data to the Bluesound via .75m ethernet and passed the digital out of the Bluesound via spdif to a Mytek Brooklyn DAC.  I'd like my next server/streamer to do the same.  In case you can't access my virtual system, I run the DAC to a Line Magnetic 518IA integrated and out through Merlin VSMs.  I listen to my library and have a hifi Tidal subscription that I really like.

First question is whether I need integrated storage in a server or if I can just put a 256gb usb thumb drive into a streamer and use that as my NAS, and if so, priority would be given to a streamer that can do this seamlessly.  If I need a server for onboard storage, then I will definitely want SSD storage so there's a lower risk of drive failure.

I suppose I could just get a current Bluesound product.  11 years isn't awful for the price I paid and I do like the Bluesound app.  Wouldn't mind taking a bit of a step up in hopes of enjoying digital more.  Don't want to open a "bits is bits" battle but I am curious whether a higher quality of server/streamer will affect the sound quality a lot, a little or otherwise.  Especially since the power cable to my PS Audio Stellar Phono cost more than 2/3 of the Bluesound-- I have a bit of budget headroom.  Along those lines,  Budget is preferably $1500-$2500 and i'd love to buy used unless that's something "not to be done" in the case of a server/streamer in the fourth quarter of 2025.  I have a vague idea that Innuos, Aurender & NAIM have esteemed products in the general area of what I want.  I'm open to suggestions, including that I need something totally different.  I really do want an easy set & forget system.  I found the Bluesound really easy to integrate with my system and lifestyle, so don't want something that I have to supervise a lot.

Thanks in advance.

D

 

dkidknow
dkidknow OP
70 posts
 

Can’t tell if this is a parody post, but the whole point was to upend accepted wisdom.  This guy is a professional, has likely heard more equipment than any of us, yet still uses the Bluesound.  One room was GIP Laboratory speakers powered by Mactone amplification and analog source was likely a Shindo Garrard TT.  Ever since auditorium 23 stopped making cables I believe he’s gone to Chord cabling, not Belden.  He could have had literally any digital source he liked in that room, yet chose Bluesound.  IMHO, it’s worth considering an extremely well-informed

alternate viewpoint.

soix
11,230 posts
 

It’s not a parody.  Unless you believe steamers don’t make any difference, putting a Node in a high $$$ system is just plain stupid, and I seriously question the ears of anyone who’d do such a thing.  A better streamer will have lower noise, better clock/lower jitter, better power supply, etc. all of which are important and make a big difference in streaming performance. Further, scores of people here have upgraded from a Node and realized substantial performance improvements, so are they all wrong???  It’s inconceivable that putting something like an N200 or better wouldn’t provide significant improvements over a Node, but it is an alternative viewpoint — I’ll give you that. 

hasmarto's avatar
hasmarto
252 posts
 

@dkidknow 

Last year my Bluesound Node (2014) developed the dreaded “red light of death.” I wasn’t too upset, as I was already in the market for a new streamer anyway. Still, just in case, I decided to give them a call. They didn’t make any promises - they simply asked me to send the unit back with the original box and accessories. I did exactly that, and to my surprise, they sent me a brand-new Node N130.

So, if you have it’s all documents it’s definitely worth getting in touch with them - it just might work.

westborn
174 posts
 

I have a new in box Vault 2 in white; pm if interested.

celtic66
1,925 posts
 

https://tmraudio.com/fresh-arrivals/naim-uniti-core-network-streamer-cd-ripper/?srsltid=AfmBOopCaR_zNsLhlnuAP-i1pQmOzbhyjzp_EpsFd3n8D4BI_sJAWwJf

Great unit.  Good hunting.

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