Bluesound Node - New 2021 model!!

[alsorkin]

Doesn't explain why the MQA sources (Radio Paradise and Tidal Masters) are now only available as CD quality after the update. Also the USB input to the Topping is repeatedly cutting out every second or so. I sent a support ticket to Blusound.

RP now working as MQA sources when selected.

 

[Chibs]

How do you setup the Node as a render only?

Not sure myself and since I don't use Tidal or Roon I can't play with settings.
If you go into settings there's an option for "MQA external Dac" that you can toggle. Perhaps this is it?

 

[alsorkin]

Yes I toggled that to on. No further settings after.

 

[Pro-Jules]

Is the eq still just treble & bass or is there more in the 2021 model?

 

[cheznous]

The App on my ipad bugs me in that whenever I plug in a new usb source I still see the previous usb in the menu.

I do not want to end up with lots of usb entries only one connected.

Anyway to delete items from the menu.

 

[Vero Golf Champ]

Coaxial was excellent, but USB is even better with my delta sigma DAC (Myryad Z20). Maybe a power supply would be the final touch (bar a Pontus lol), however I'm getting an incredibly black background and pinpoint imaging as it stands.

Concerning the Node as a DAC, I feel it's good but not great. Fed by the Node N130 mine leaves it in the dust dynamically and for soundstage, bass heft, definition and texture etc.

 

[Chibs]

Coaxial was excellent, but USB is even better with my delta sigma DAC (Myryad Z20). Maybe a power supply would be the final touch (bar a Pontus lol), however I'm getting an incredibly black background and pinpoint imaging as it stands.

Concerning the Node as a DAC, I feel it's good but not great. Fed by the Node N130n mine leaves it in the dust dynamically and for soundstage, bass heft, definition and texture etc.

That's interesting. I haven't tried usb to Pontus, only to Gustard X16 to verify it works. Now it may be worth updating my Pontus's firmware and trying the node on USB. Not sure I will be able to AB difference properly with my setup though.

 

[daytrader]

That's interesting. I haven't tried usb to Pontus, only to Gustard X16 to verify it works. Now it may be worth updating my Pontus's firmware and trying the node on USB. Not sure I will be able to AB difference properly with my setup though.

Has BS updated the Node USB output sw? If not there is not much reason to update the Pontus with an update sw as I believe it only effects the USB, right?

It’s nice to hear the coaxial input sounds good, as a second alternative to USB if we are forced to use it as a digital input. Boy I have to say, the Pontus keeps on impressing me more and more as I read these comments.

 

[Chibs]

Has BS updated the Node USB output sw? If not there is not much reason to update the Pontus with an update sw as I believe it only effects the USB, right?

It’s nice to hear the coaxial input sounds good, as a second alternative to USB if we are forced to use it as a digital input. Boy I have to say, the Pontus keeps on impressing me more and more as I read these comments.

Yea, Node outputs through USB now. Pontus II is endgame for me. Going to eventually do a YT review on mine because I keep getting requests.
TBH, it's hard to imagine USB sounding better than Coax because of how crazy good my system sounds. Worth a shot though.

Chibs

 

[cheznous]

Though the Node has many good points, such as I find the dac compares favourably to using my external Hugo 2, I am disappointed it doesn’t work with UPnP servers.
You would think this would have been a useful feature for potential users.

 

[daytrader]

Yea, Node outputs through USB now. Pontus II is endgame for me. Going to eventually do a YT review on mine because I keep getting requests.
TBH, it's hard to imagine USB sounding better than Coax because of how crazy good my system sounds. Worth a shot though.

Chibs

How did you get the Node USB output upgrade? Did it just pop up over WiFi as a systems update?

 

[Chibs]

How did you get the Node USB output upgrade? Did it just pop up over WiFi as a systems update?

Go to "Hep" then "upgrade Check"

 

[daytrader]

Go to "Hep" then "upgrade Check"

Yea, Node outputs through USB now. Pontus II is endgame for me. Going to eventually do a YT review on mine because I keep getting requests.
TBH, it's hard to imagine USB sounding better than Coax because of how crazy good my system sounds. Worth a shot though.

Chibs

Thought I’d mention this chat since you brought it up, I had an interesting call today with Bluesound customer service. They were very helpful btw answering all my questions even follow up with some email responses to walk me through some stuff. So what comment did I find interest? When I asked about the newest way available to connect to an external dac, by way of usb, as compared to coaxial or to a lesser extent optical, he was super hesitant to say. He danced a little around the answer and finally came with let your ears be your guide. I got the feeling they preferred coaxial. Maybe why it took them so long under consumer pressure to enable it? Just a thought to consider.

So, you said you would do a usb comparison to see, that your coax output was ”crazy good but worth a shot”. So my friend you might have already been on to something that most of us aren’t aware of? The general consensus of usb over coaxial. I await your results with great anticipation.

 

[Vero Golf Champ]

I forgot to mention that when using the USB out, optical, coaxial and even the RCAs are deactivated.

 

[daytrader]

I forgot to mention that when using the USB out, optical, coaxial and even the RCAs are deactivated.

Not sure you are correct about the RCA outs, just of the phone with Andrew over at Peachtree and he said when using digital outs like the USB all other digit outs are not to be used. But did say you still can use the RCA outputs to do a side by side comparison of the dacs.