Bluesound Node 2i

[Focux]

finally a thread made for this little device,

to those who currently use streamers, how would i benefit from a streamer (say the node 2i) if my current system is playing music from a streaming app connected to my dac followed by amp and headphones?

thanks all!

 

[LadderB]

finally a thread made for this little device,

to those who currently use streamers, how would i benefit from a streamer (say the node 2i) if my current system is playing music from a streaming app connected to my dac followed by amp and headphones?

thanks all!

It depends on what you are using as a streaming app source. Your computer? Phone? The principal benefits of the Node 2i are that it is a physically separate/self-contained solution that is small so you can place it next to your system. For headphone listening, this may not be a big deal. The other benefit is the value of the user interface (UI). Bluesound/BlueOS is pretty good and has apps for phone/tablet/computer. I use the Bluesound next to my stereo in the living room, so it is convenient to just hook it up and control it over wifi.

The other potential benefit of a separate, dedicated streamer is better sound quality by removing an electrically noisy device from the chain and also likely better clocking of the digital stream. The digital coax out on the Node 2i is pretty good for the money, improved by my power supply upgrade (small difference). Whether or not this makes a difference depends on a lot of things like the quality of your DAC, the quality of the alternate source, the resolution of your amp/speakers, etc.

 

[Luke Thomas]

I think I’m buying one. My laptop is a little cumbersome when using the tidal app. And I’m a Hugh mqa fan. In my system. The sound is noticeably better

 

[Focux]

It depends on what you are using as a streaming app source. Your computer? Phone? The principal benefits of the Node 2i are that it is a physically separate/self-contained solution that is small so you can place it next to your system. For headphone listening, this may not be a big deal. The other benefit is the value of the user interface (UI). Bluesound/BlueOS is pretty good and has apps for phone/tablet/computer. I use the Bluesound next to my stereo in the living room, so it is convenient to just hook it up and control it over wifi.

The other potential benefit of a separate, dedicated streamer is better sound quality by removing an electrically noisy device from the chain and also likely better clocking of the digital stream. The digital coax out on the Node 2i is pretty good for the money, improved by my power supply upgrade (small difference). Whether or not this makes a difference depends on a lot of things like the quality of your DAC, the quality of the alternate source, the resolution of your amp/speakers, etc.

I am using my mac to stream, dac is a Qutest

 

[rickydenim]

I was actually just looking at one of these! Been wondering if it would give much more SQ in my system. I have the Denon X3500H and it has Tidal built in via the HEOS app which I use, but it's a bit buggy. I also have recently got a Shield TV Pro 2019 and using the Tidal app it will play MQA, which the Denon Heos won't do. This sounds pretty good however a bit annoying having to have the TV on etc.

Thinking this could make things simpler and hopefully provide better SQ to the above. I also have a Musical Fidelity M3i intergrated in the setup that runs my mains in HT bypass. What would be the best setup here? Digital output to the Denon or direct to integrated?

 

[gimmeheadroom]

The Tidal app playing MQA is not as good as an MQA DAC or streamer. I would recommend turning the volume setting on the node 2i to fixed output and running the analog out into your amp. A major benefit of the node 2i is it is an MQA DAC. If you use the digital out you're losing that benefit.

I have the m5si, love it! Have not heard their other models.

 

[judomaniak57]

took the Node 2i out of the big system and tried with my headphone setup. pretty simple setup, just use it for streaming Tidal. Liking the sound of MQA

A thru the node 2i

 

[Luke Thomas]

took the Node 2i out of the big system and tried with my headphone setup. pretty simple setup, just use it for streaming Tidal. Liking the sound of MQAA thru the node 2i

is using the node a better Option than the last way you streamed to your headphones

 

[judomaniak57]

unfortunately this is a temp setup, my astell and kern will be going back in and the Node 2i will go back in my big rig. hopefully i will get another node 2i before the end of the year

 

[judomaniak57]

i usually use an astell and kern dap, which sounds good just small screen and harder to search for music on. the dap also doesnt have MQA for tidal which i like. sound wise i prefer the Node 2i . the node 2i with a android tablet is extremmly convienent to use. also the node 2i was quite abit cheaper then my dap

 

[Luke Thomas]

Thx. I use the Ibasso Dap 160 to my amp. It does mqa. But the node seems more convenient. Plus I read somewhere about a 30 day trial

 

[Zurv]

I really like the Bluesound 2i. That said, I only use it for streaming from Qobuz. But *IT* does the streaming (not being streamed from my iphone or ipad) and my wife can also just jump in with the app on her phone too. (the fun game of what-to-play-next)
I do not use it for the DAC. It is ... fine... nothing wrong with it. "good"
I go coax out to the Schiit Gungnir Multibit and from there SE to my AVR and another SE to the PrimaLuna EVO 400 (I can connect a headphone to either.)
(locked volume)

I like the app. It is simple to use and can connect to all the big services.

I like that it is wifi too. So i can quicklly unplug it and set it up at my desk.
(i don't care about MQA. Lossless or nothing. - why would i care about the file size being smaller? It is all mastered in PCM anyway.)

 

[Zurv]

I am using my mac to stream, dac is a Qutest

just connect the node 2i to our Qutest and you are good to go. I think there is a optical input on the chord...?

 

[gimmeheadroom]

just connect the node 2i to our Qutest and you are good to go. I think there is a optical input on the chord...?

Yeah, but at the expense of MQA. The node 2i really does not need an external DAC. For people who want to pay more there are upscale streamers.

 

[maellen]

What source do you guys use for local files (FLAC etc)?

NAS?