Bluesound Node - New 2021 model!!

[daytrader]

So I received my new BS Node this weekend and am impressed with its built quality and sq so far. Though I do have a question that needs some clarification.

The Node now comes with USB out as has been established already, as an update. So I’ve got my Node running into my Peachtree Nova300 and to my surprise the Node has recognized the Nova300 and made all the audio adjustments for me, sweet!

My question, I’m using Amazon HD Music as my source but it seems to need to go through Apple Airplay to play through the Node. Is this normal operating procedure?

Am I getting full high resolution playback as it comes from Amazon Music HD 24/192? Or is Apple Airplay passing only 16/44? BTW 32/384 comes out of USB from my Peachtree Nova300. Am I not taking advantage of the Node/Nova300 combo? If not, at this point I might as well go back to my Zen Blue coaxial output. Hmm?

 

[Rhinonine]

So I received my new BS Node this weekend and am impressed with its built quality and sq so far. Though I do have a question that needs some clarification.

The Node now comes with USB out as has been established already, as an update. So I’ve got my Node running into my Peachtree Nova300 and to my surprise the Node has recognized the Nova300 and made all the audio adjustments for me, sweet!

My question, I’m using Amazon HD Music as my source but it seems to need to go through Apple Airplay to play through the Node. Is this normal operating procedure?

Am I getting full high resolution playback as it comes from Amazon Music HD 24/192? Or is Apple Airplay passing only 16/44? BTW 32/384 comes out of USB from my Peachtree Nova300. Am I not taking advantage of the Node/Nova300 combo? If not, at this point I might as well go back to my Zen Blue coaxial output. Hmm

Amazon is integrated into the BluOS app so the stream should play straight from the node. It sounds like you haven't signed into you Amazon Music account on the node and using BluOS to access Amazon Music. Turn off Airplay and only use BluOS app to access Amazon Music.

 

[daytrader]

Amazon is integrated into the BluOS app so the stream should play straight from the node. It sounds like you haven't signed into you Amazon Music account on the node and using BluOS to access Amazon Music. Turn off Airplay and only use BluOS app to access Amazon Music.

Thank you. That was the issue I was using the Amazon Music app and not going through the Node app. All solved.

 

[Rhinonine]

I've come to the conclusion that the node sounds better over usb than coaxial on my dac.
The sound is open and clear on usb, on coaxial it has less sparkle across the frequency range.
Remember my comments are what I hear on my system and room.

 

[Huck]

Hi;
Is it possible to have both usb and coax hooked up together on the NODE so I can switch each one for comparison purposes?
Thnaks,Huck

 

[daytrader]

Hi;
Is it possible to have both usb and coax hooked up together on the NODE so I can switch each one for comparison purposes?
Thnaks,Huck

No, according to Peachtree. You can do one digital out and the RCA out, switching back and forth to see which dac you prefer if you are using an amp with its own dac. That’s about it. It’s early for me, my Node is new but I’ll add my view, the usb sounds quicker more inner detail and more extended on the upper frequency vs the coax. This is not to mean the coax it not good sounding, it’s a great option for a system that is a bit bright and analytical sounding. The coax brings nice fullness and rounds things off pleasantly, very much like an r2r dac.

 

[Huck]

Thanks,then I guess I will try the usb 'out' to my DAC.Thanks,Huck

 

[Rhinonine]

Hi;
Is it possible to have both usb and coax hooked up together on the NODE so I can switch each one for comparison purposes?
Thnaks,Huck

I have coaxial and usb from my node connected to my dac, the only way to switch between them is to go into the audio settings in the node and select default as the output and then switch the input on the dac, a bit convoluted to make a a direct comparison.
I've had the node since June so was used to the sound of the coaxial output, so when the USB output was enabled I could tell that it had a different sound signature and I would agree with @daytrader on the difference between coaxial and usb outputs.

 

[daytrader]

I have coaxial and usb from my node connected to my dac, the only way to switch between them is to go into the audio settings in the node and select default as the output and then switch the input on the dac, a bit convoluted to make a a direct comparison.
I've had the node since June so was used to the sound of the coaxial output, so when the USB output was enabled I could tell that it had a different sound signature and I would agree with @daytrader on the difference between coaxial and usb outputs.

Your coaxial and usb connections simultaneously but going into the menu to change outputs might be what they were talking about at Peachtree when i called them to inquire about my order. Or it‘s a Peachtree synergy thing, either way thank you for the clarification for the benefit of other readers.

 

[Huck]

For anyone wondering about the usb and coax port being used together,this is the note I just received from Bluesound...:

"When connecting an external DAC to the USB port of NODE (N130), the USB port is automatically enabled.

Note: When the USB port is enabled, other audio outputs (Analog/COAX/Optical) are disabled."..Huck

 

[Chibs]

You guys are making me want to upgrade firmware on my Pontus II and give USB a long listen. From what I understand, it's not going to be easy to A/B the difference quick enough. Sometimes I wish audible memory was more like my other senses and less like a common goldfish.

Will give it a shot anyways!
Chibs

 

[Vero Golf Champ]

May have been a bit harsh on the Node as an analogue source.

I regularly hook it up to my Lehmann Linear (after having to unplug the USB cable) when my DAC is busy decoding the TV and I slap on the closed cans.

Sounds thoroughly enjoyable, I just think there's a bit of bloom and looseness or reverb in the bass, which I don't mind really. I reckon they've gone for a slightly softer, warmer, crowd pleasing sound. My Beyers lose a bit of their bite. So a touch rolled off perhaps and a fraction flat. Background could be blacker, and imaging better, but that comes when using it as a digital transport, particularly via USB.

Certainly no sibilance to speak of, even with the aforementioned DT1770s, which is unusual. They even lose some of their somewhat clinical character, which is welcome.

 

[Deleeh]

Hello,
would it be possible to connect the Node via Usb to the Singxer Su 2 and the Su 2 does the rest to the Dac?

How does it actually look with Roon?
Could you use Roon or is it still in the certification phase?
Unfortunately I have found very little about it in terms of usability.
I would like to use Ronn because the Tidal app is not necessarily good.

 

[daytrader]

So I’d like to start a discussion...

My Bluesound Node 2021 vs a USB cable directly from my iPad into my integrated amp that is equipped with a reference dac able to do 32-Bit/384kHz PCM and 5.6MHz DSD (double-DSD) compatibility, so fairly competent I’d say most would agree.

So why a wireless Node? An iPad/phone has any music app I need to download and a large screen for album information and cover art. Just add a USB and play In HD.

The Node weights in at $600. A good USB less than $50.

I’ve tried both ways in my system and see the Node as a luxury item, if you understand my meaning. Now if I didn’t have my integrated amp already in place and I was looking to a Bluesound Power Node, that would make much more sense and worth the extra dime.

Thoughts?

 

[Deleeh]

So I’d like to start a discussion...

My Bluesound Node 2021 vs a USB cable directly from my iPad into my integrated amp that is equipped with a reference dac able to do 32-Bit/384kHz PCM and 5.6MHz DSD (double-DSD) compatibility, so fairly competent I’d say most would agree.

So why a wireless Node? An iPad/phone has any music app I need to download and a large screen for album information and cover art. Just add a USB and play In HD.

The Node weights in at $600. A good USB less than $50.

I’ve tried both ways in my system and see the Node as a luxury item, if you understand my meaning. Now if I didn’t have my integrated amp already in place and I was looking to a Bluesound Power Node, that would make much more sense and worth the extra dime.

Thoughts?

Hello,
The question is easy to answer.

Look at it this way, we are only a small part of the savvy community compared to more than 9 billion people who are still straining their grey lighteners.

For most people, it has to work like this and sound good, then they are happy with it.
They don't care what kind of speakers, amplifiers etc. they have.
Imagine visually the people you see in the city, train, bus, plane with their smartphones and the Apple things in their ears.
What do you think Apple has been earning money with for years?
Because money can be made with stupidity.

There are also people who stream the whole thing on their TV via wifi, why not.
Or maybe when the car is so modern that you stream the whole thing into the car while you're washing it in the yard on Saturdays.
Well the other thing is that not everyone wants to drill holes in their wall for the lan cable.
If you're an 80's kid who grew up in the 90's you probably understand how crappy it was when the internet came and you had to run a cable from the hallway into the living room or your own room and ask your dad befor if you could.

Of course your Dac, my Dac, the Dac's of the others are better than the one Bluesound offers.
But I would be happy if everything works out as I imagine in my pre-post to know to have another Dac in the house in case our main Dac crashes.