MacBook vs Node 2, 2i for a streamer

[creed2]

Hi, I have RME Adi-2 and am using a MacBook as a streamer. I'm trying to keep cost down. If I keep using MacBook I was going to add Audirvana and a nice USB cable. The cheapest way would be to buy an old Bluesound Node 2 not a 2i if they better the MacBook. Would the older Node sound better than MacBook with Audirvana? Would the Node 2i sound better than old Node 2 as a streamer. I also am considering an Auralic Aries if I can find one. Had a friend also suggest a Mac mini. Any help or guidance would be appreciated as this is my first time to dive into streaming.

 

[ScubaMan2017]

Welcome to the thread! My vote: stay with the iDevice user interface and connect its Thunderbolt or Lightning port... via USB... to an external DAC. I've been trying out different digital sources:

1. Chromebook (ChromeOS) >>> USB >>> Schiit Bifrost Multibit DAC >>> various headphone amplifiers (headamps). Good: it just works. I find android applications reasonably stable. External hard drives let me avoid streaming music over my WiFi (from router-attached, powered hard-drives). Bad: limited tweaking. Interesting: I did install Linux on my Chromebook and was able to tweak VLC, Foobar2000, and Tangerine.

2. iDevice (iPad, iPhone, iTouch,...) >>> lightning-to-USB3-camera-adapter >>> Bifrost DAC >>> various head. Good: I enjoy iOS's interface. I prefer iDevice touch devices (sensitive, easy-on-the-eyes). And it's much more stable than my AndroidOS applications. Bad: it's locked down (no tweaking). Interesting: I was also looking at the Auralic G1/G2. It's very pretty-looking kit! The iOS adapter cost me ~$50 CAD and that's much cheaper than what Auralic costs here in Canada.

Anyway, my 2 cents.

 

[Deolum]

Macbook + Audirvana + good USB cable is a good choice.

MacMini should be worse because you have the dirty psu inside the Mini. So Macbook without power supply plugged in should be better than MacMini.
You can modifi a Mini to higher levels but that's not what you looking for i think.

Node2 should be equal to Macbook. Node2 has no usb out and uses BlueOS. Node2 can also be tuned by giving it better psu but stock version isn't recommendable soundwise imo. Only if you want the OS.

Better soundquality than the Macbook with streamers should be in the realm of Sotm Sms 200/Sonore Microrendu.

Macbook is fine. Connect it via a good ethernet cable (cat 6/7) to your router or a cleaner source like a switch/repeater, run audirvana, run it without power plugged in and connect it with a good usb cable to your dac. Good cables mean around 20 bucks so don't spend 100 on a cable.

 

[jwbrent]

Hi, I have RME Adi-2 and am using a MacBook as a streamer. I'm trying to keep cost down. If I keep using MacBook I was going to add Audirvana and a nice USB cable. The cheapest way would be to buy an old Bluesound Node 2 not a 2i if they better the MacBook. Would the older Node sound better than MacBook with Audirvana? Would the Node 2i sound better than old Node 2 as a streamer. I also am considering an Auralic Aries if I can find one. Had a friend also suggest a Mac mini. Any help or guidance would be appreciated as this is my first time to dive into streaming.

Good question. I have a MacBook Air repurposed as a transport using Audirvana. I’ve wondered myself whether a dedicated streamer would sound better. I agree running the MacBook on battery eliminates one source of contamination, but the MacBook still is a very noisy environment. I use a Qutest as my DAC and run a pure silver USB cable to the galvanized USB input on the Qutest. It sounds very nice, but I do wonder ...

 

[Deolum]

Good question. I have a MacBook Air repurposed as a transport using Audirvana. I’ve wondered myself whether a dedicated streamer would sound better. I agree running the MacBook on battery eliminates one source of contamination, but the MacBook still is a very noisy environment. I use a Qutest as my DAC and run a pure silver USB cable to the galvanized USB input on the Qutest. It sounds very nice, but I do wonder ...

Yes a good streamer sounds better. But not every streamer.

 

[ScubaMan2017]

Yes a good streamer sounds better. But not every streamer.

In my case, I find myself trying out different user interfaces to organize, and play my digital files (either as a stream from 'the cloud' or from attached hard-drives). Heck, I find myself switching UI, based on my mood. My hearing's been ravaged by SCUBA (over-equalization; tinitus) and being 50 years old. Cutting-edge fidelity is lost to me. I've looked at the Aurelic line. Its asthetics are indeed very pleasant to the eye (I balk at the price).

I'm sorry if my comments throw the proverbial mud in the water, @creed2 ...and confuse the hell out of you. I agree with @Deolum 's musing. There's indeed different quality streaming boxes.

My vote: purchase a streamer whose feature-set you desire and build-quality that you want (I've had USB ports and audio jacks short out). My connectivity (viaWiFi) can be flakey, so I chose a system that has localized storage. Enjoy your purchasing, @creed2 !

 

[ScubaMan2017]

By the way, Aurelic's owner was interviewed on the following podcast. He dives into the streaming market. It's a balanced comentary...
August 25, 2020 episode.

 

[mbritt]

I've used a Macbook as a player via Ammara to a dac and as a Roon server/streamer. I also have an Allo DigiOne streamer hard wired via ethernet and use idevices as Roon endpoints via lightning direct (on a device licensed from Apple), CCK USB adapter and via an Apple Lightning to HDMI adapter to my Marantz HT receiver. First thing to know is that each device and type of connection (usb, ethernet, coax, HDMI) all have their own sonic flavor as do some cables so just make sure to get a USB that separates power from data and well made ethernet/coax cable - I use Morrow Audio or Blue Jeans Cables. Best way to discern which device is better is to have a sound signature you know you like and compare that set up to the streamer. I compare streamers to an Oppo disc player spinning CDs for 44/16 and SACDs to high resolution downloads or streams. Spoiler: spinning discs win every time for my ears but the convenience of streaming levels the playing field a bit.

Based on my experiences and preferences, I'd say the only reason to add a streamer into your chain should be for the convenience of not having a computer dedicated to audio running 24/7 near your DAC/audio stack, not as an audio improvement.

I'd recommend keeping it simple and the chain short. Ease your audio-nervosa by comparing a CD player into the same DAC as the Macbook playing the CD version of the same songs. Try Coax if you can for the CD player or Tosslink optical if Coax isn't an option. If you can't tell the difference between the Macbook and the CD player you are golden using the Macbook and don't need to worry about something being "better". If the CD sounds better, be prepared to go down a very complex and expensive rabbit hole to find a streaming sound that betters even a midfi CD player into a modern DAC. Not the last word, just my opinion based on my own experience with my audio gear.

 

[creed2]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, Deolum you mentioned a better power supply for node 2i, what power supply would be an upgrade? I didn't know there was one. I am a big believer in power supply's and did consider adding a Teddy Pardo power supply for the RME. Only thing I can go on is the hype that the Node is a decent streamer. Scubaman "yes a good streamer sounds better. But not every streamer. What streamers do sound good in the $500-$1000 range new or used? Is going from MacBook to node be a sideways move. I don't want anything that will close in or dull the open sound of the RME which I am really enjoying.

 

[creed2]

Thanks mbritt, I did that with a Exemplar Audio modded tube 105 CD player and found the MacBook was more detailed and was still musical but the oppo seemed a little more relaxed and quieter. That is with running the stock supplied USB cord from mac to dac and a Acoustic Zen Silver ref2 rca to preamp. The CD player has JPS Labs super conductors going to preamp. That is also without Audirvana on the MacBook as I have not added that yet. So maybe comparing MacBook without Audirvana to Oppo is not a fair comparison until I add Audirvana to the MacBook. I agree the streamer situation does look like a rabbit hole certain with me having no knowledge of it.

 

[arftech]

Im running my MacBook Pro with Roon wirelessly to a PS Audio PerfectWave DAC with Bridge 2 installed in it. Hence, a USB connection is not utilize. The MacBook is connected to my network while my PS Audio Bridge 2 is connected to an Ethernet cable to my network. It sounds awesom!

PS. The Bridge 2 turns my DAC into a streamer.