Bluesound Node - New 2021 model!!

[Vero Golf Champ]

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?

My thoughts are that even if you avoid resampling and manage to get a bit perfect signal via OTG USB, or the Apple alternative, a tablet or phone is not ideal as a dedicated source. I used to use my Android phone with and without UAPP, along with an optical feed from the TV, to stream Tidal HiFi. The Node via digital coaxial was better in terms of things like a blacker background, better imaging and instrument separation etc. USB was slightly better again.

Besides, I'd need a long USB cable from where my DAC is to the couch, if I didn't want to get up all the time.

 

[KPzypher]

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.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work properly with roon, outside of PCM 44.1. It cuts off every few seconds. Tidal seems to work fine though, even MQA. Never had issues with Roon on coax. Hoping for another update in the near future.

 

[Deleeh]

Unfortunately, it doesn't work properly with roon, outside of PCM 44.1. It cuts off every few seconds. Tidal seems to work fine though, even MQA. Never had issues with Roon on coax. Hoping for another update in the near future.

Hello,
Thanks for the feedback.
I found something about it yesterday, maybe it will help you and you can try it and let me know if it got better.

https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/4417417052567-USB-output-is-here

Of course it's annoying to spend so much money and then something doesn't work and you have to wait for updates.
It seems that I first have to familiarise myself with the BlueOs and also use it.
Until the Roon problem is solved.

I'm surprised that the Roon certification has come at all, or that Roon has approved it.
That's what certification is for.

 

[daytrader]

My thoughts are that even if you avoid resampling and manage to get a bit perfect signal via OTG USB, or the Apple alternative, a tablet or phone is not ideal as a dedicated source. I used to use my Android phone with and without UAPP, along with an optical feed from the TV, to stream Tidal HiFi. The Node via digital coaxial was better in terms of things like a blacker background, better imaging and instrument separation etc. USB was slightly better again.

Besides, I'd need a long USB cable from where my DAC is to the couch, if I didn't want to get up all the time.

There seems to be a consensus that a well constructed USB will go 15 feet without an issue. As long as that’s acceptable with others in the space. But I do think about the power supply of the Node vs the power supply of the iPad, for sure it’s better in the Node but then again the power supply from the iPad is DC. A big advantage over dirty AC.

 

[KPzypher]

Hello,
Thanks for the feedback.
I found something about it yesterday, maybe it will help you and you can try it and let me know if it got better.

https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/4417417052567-USB-output-is-here

Of course it's annoying to spend so much money and then something doesn't work and you have to wait for updates.
It seems that I first have to familiarise myself with the BlueOs and also use it.
Until the Roon problem is solved.

I'm surprised that the Roon certification has come at all, or that Roon has approved it.
That's what certification is for.

It's a known issue with Roon.

"Just a reminder - we are aware of an issue that if you are using ROON and MQA with an external DAC, sending digital audio through the USB port of NODE (N130) may cause audio dropouts. USB DAC audio output for NODE (N130) with ROON is still classified as a beta release and is under development. Unfortunately, we do not have an exact timeline for future development and releases as we continue to work with ROON on the situation."

MQA doesn't play properly. It switches between PCM and MQA every few seconds.

I think Bluesound prematurely released the USB update as they promised to enable the feature by late 2021.

 

[Deleeh]

It's a known issue with Roon.

"Just a reminder - we are aware of an issue that if you are using ROON and MQA with an external DAC, sending digital audio through the USB port of NODE (N130) may cause audio dropouts. USB DAC audio output for NODE (N130) with ROON is still classified as a beta release and is under development. Unfortunately, we do not have an exact timeline for future development and releases as we continue to work with ROON on the situation."

MQA doesn't play properly. It switches between PCM and MQA every few seconds.

I think Bluesound prematurely released the USB update as they promised to enable the feature by late 2021.

I agree. Does it at least work reasonably with the Blue OS from Usb from the Node to the Dac?
You probably can't do more than wait until they have fixed the problem.

 

[KPzypher]

I agree. Does it at least work reasonably with the Blue OS from Usb from the Node to the Dac?
You probably can't do more than wait until they have fixed the problem.

At least on my setup, node (USB) > ext. DAC (SMSL M400), everything works fine outside of Roon MQA playback. And coax works great in all situations. The new node is much faster than the older version, which i also used to own. It's such a well made device that is reasonably priced.

 

[rreynolds]

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?

If your main setup is at a desk and you're within 3-6ft from the equipment, owning a streamer makes no sense imo. They're mainly for people that have 2-channel speaker systems where distance between equipment and listener are greater. Personally have a desk and simply use USB-DDC-DAC-AMP. Implemented a streamer a couple weeks back to see if there'd be a difference and came to the same conclusions you did.

 

[KPzypher]

If your main setup is at a desk and you're within 3-6ft from the equipment, owning a streamer makes no sense imo. They're mainly for people that have 2-channel speaker systems where distance between equipment and listener are greater. Personally have a desk and simply use USB-DDC-DAC-AMP. Implemented a streamer a couple weeks back to see if there'd be a difference and came to the same conclusions you did.

That's how I mainly use it. For a nearfield setup in a dedicated listening room.

Node > M400 > SP400 > Hedd type 07 mk ii

And I just use my phone as a remote to control Roon.

 

[Deleeh]

At least on my setup, node (USB) > ext. DAC (SMSL M400), everything works fine outside of Roon MQA playback. And coax works great in all situations. The new node is much faster than the older version, which i also used to own. It's such a well made device that is reasonably priced.

Thank you very much.
It's reassuring to know that it at least runs on Blue Os.
I'll see when my node arrives this week.
I will definitely wait with Roon until Bluesound has fixed it.
I don't see any point in registering with Roon again before then.

 

[KPzypher]

Thank you very much.
It's reassuring to know that it at least runs on Blue Os.
I'll see when my node arrives this week.
I will definitely wait with Roon until Bluesound has fixed it.
I don't see any point in registering with Roon again before then.

If you're mostly using streaming services, Spotify and Tidal connect both work great using native app. You don't need to stream via blueos.

 

[Deleeh]

If you're mostly using streaming services, Spotify and Tidal connect both work great using native app. You don't need to stream via blueos.

Yes, I know.
The thing is I primarily use Audirvana 3.5 with the Tidal account.
Which is not tragic, it's actually enough for me.

In the living room I still have a Bluetooth-capable Dac that could possibly communicate with the Node.
But I have to test it first.
So the Blue Os and later with Roon wouldn't be bad to control it from the kitchen or somewhere else.

I will take a look at it if something or one of them doesn't work, I think everything will stay the same.
Even if the native apps are annoying.

 

[daytrader]

Yes, I know.
The thing is I primarily use Audirvana 3.5 with the Tidal account.
Which is not tragic, it's actually enough for me.

In the living room I still have a Bluetooth-capable Dac that could possibly communicate with the Node.
But I have to test it first.
So the Blue Os and later with Roon wouldn't be bad to control it from the kitchen or somewhere else.

I will take a look at it if something or one of them doesn't work, I think everything will stay the same.
Even if the native apps are annoying.

The Node does BT along with Apple Airplay, but remember, over WiFi is the best sound quality. Highest resolution rate. If one is paying for Tidal why not listen in the highest resolution offered.

 

[TK33]

That's how I mainly use it. For a nearfield setup in a dedicated listening room.

Node > M400 > SP400 > Hedd type 07 mk ii

And I just use my phone as a remote to control Roon.

I also got my Node 2i for a nearfield desktop setup.

Amazon HD+local FLAC files (can mix into play queue in BluOS) on Node 2i --> RME ADI-2 DAC --> Aeon 2 Noire / SE846 / NAD D3045 (integrated amp for speakers)

Liked it so much I bought a second for my living room. I use an old Android 6 tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4) as a dedicated remote or any of my Android phones. One of the few devices that can stream Amazon HD but perfect (Android and PC cannot). Also love that I don't need to minimize Citrix anymore everytime I want to skip a track.

 

[KPzypher]

I also got my Node 2i for a nearfield desktop setup.

Amazon HD+local FLAC files (can mix into play queue in BluOS) on Node 2i --> RME ADI-2 DAC --> Aeon 2 Noire / SE846 / NAD D3045 (integrated amp for speakers)

Liked it so much I bought a second for my living room. I use an old Android 6 tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4) as a dedicated remote or any of my Android phones. One of the few devices that can stream Amazon HD but perfect (Android and PC cannot). Also love that I don't need to minimize Citrix anymore everytime I want to skip a track.

Yeah it's such a neat device. And very stable. Well, except for the recent USB update.