I have a Bluesound Node and Vault. I think the Vault idea would make sense if you have a library of CDs you want to rip into the Vault or you have an existing library of music on a HDD that you want to move/transfer onto the Vault HDD. If you don’t want storage of music then another combination of DAC and streamer might work better. You will get many suggestions here. For me I have used the Bluesound ecosystem with a separate DAC with fine results but people here on audiogon may suggest options other than Bluesound.
You may want to clarify how you will be listening to music...
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thanks
would be exclusively downloaded files from Tidal/Amazon
do you have some equipment suggestions within my budget?
I'm new to streaming and am under the impression a server with stored music will provide better sq over streams and that a DAC in the 1000-1500 price range will also give me a significant boost over the bluesound built in dac
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also would consider using an ipad or macbook air (or even windows/android tablet)
as a server if that might represent a better option
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If you only want to listen to Tidal/Amazon, and you already have a Node, buying the Vault doesnt make sense. The Vault does 3 things: 1) Rips and stores CDs 2) acts as a streamer for services such as Tidal/Amazon, Internet Radio, or the aforementioned ripped CDs 3) is a DAC.
The Node does 2 and 3.
In your case I would blow the budget on an external DAC to best the DAC in the Node. If you later become dissatisfied with the Node as a streamer you can upgrade it, but presumably you must be happy with it since you are considering getting a Vault
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Ayre Codex- under $1K used
Schiit Gungnir or Yggy
Ayre QB-9 Twenty-well under $3K used.
Bob
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I have used a few different DACs with Vault 2i and each upgrade was.more than subtle. Eventually I will replace it but the Bluesond streamers can sound really good with a nice DAC
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Upgrade your Node first. The Node can be improved by a good margin by upgrading the internal power supply with a PD Creative board - https://pd-cf.com/.../bluesound-node-2-2i-upgrade-low.../
I power this board with a SBooster LPS. Takes the node to a level that you would need to spend $$$ on to achieve. And as others have said, a better DAC will then keep you happy for a long time.
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would the RME dac be a significant dac upgrade?
can it be used as a pre amp to drive my two channel power amp? (and then have the node attached also?)
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I have a Cambridge CXNV2 streamer
it’s great with Qobuz and a Rotel A14
the CXNV2 is v easy to use and I get firmware upgrade as easy as pie
also Cambridge has excellent and I mean excellent on line service
ive been down the road with super expensive gear and now that’s over!
BTWVgot the Cambridge for $525 for Cambridge online from CambridgeUSA
refurbished full factory warranty as well!
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I'm continuing to evolve. Currently use a NODE into a Mytek Manhattan II DAC. Will likely upgrade NODE to an Innuos streamer once new models are launched.
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I'll tell you what I have (and like):
* sonicTransporter i9 (a music server running Roon and HQ Player)
* Matrix Audio Element X (an integrated streamer/DAC/preamp directly connected to my Benchmark AHB2 power amp)
The latter would have been within your budget (barely) when I bought it new, but the new Element X2 (with touch screen and HDMI) now is over $4K. If you can find a new or used X1 within budget, it'd be worth considering. It uses one of the most advanced ESS Sabre DAC chips and FWIW does very well on ASR tests.
Good alternatives in its price range include other Matrix Audio, HiFi Rose, NAD, Cambridge Audio, and Mytek products. I doubt there is a big noticeable SQ difference among these, so the feature sets may be more relevant. But some listeners may be hearing differences in sound stage, imaging, and bass response among similar products at this price level.
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I initially added a denefrips Ares II to my node 2i - somewhat decent improvement. Then i upgraded to the Pontus II and huge improvement. That’s about your budget and SQ will be absolutely better
I also did a power supply upgrade of the node with questionable improvement if anything at all. But at least the power supply kinda looks cool on the rack!
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I have no library, so I don't need a vault. My bluesound Node N130 is connected to a Gustard x26 pro dac via audioquest carbon 48 I2s connection. Total for both would be about $2,000. Doubt you could do any better for that amount of money. Mine sounds way better than I ever thought possible with streaming.
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Check that. The I2s connection is for my CD transport to dac. Streamer to dac is UBS DH Labs silver sonic. Still about same price.
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I upgraded my DAC from the one integrated in the Cambridge Azur 851N to an MHDT Orchid which ran $1400 (with an upgraded tube). I went from very happy with the Cambridge DAC to totally thrilled with the Orchid. The Orchid is very organic, musical, and analog like, with a slight bloom often attributed with tubes.
It's also relevant to point out that I have the Orchid using a Shunyata Venom VR NR power cord and connected to the Cambridge streamer with a Shunyata Alpha SPIDF cable.
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Nothing wrong with the node but the DAC is not the best.
Get a good external DAC and sit back and enjoy.
The node software is very stable and easy to use and supports many apps.
Try radio paradise and Tunein.
Tuning gives you access to thousands of streaming radio stations and some sound really good.
Enjoy
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Sell Bluesound
Buy used Lumin T2
Enjoy‼️
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I have Node N130, a NAS and a Denafrips Pontus ll and am very happy.
All the best.
JD
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Ditto to above. Node to Denafrips Ares II now and very happy. Pontus II on the way. Plan to be happier.
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I got a Bluesound Vault a few years ago and ripped all my CD's onto it, but could not access the music by composer or symphony number. It only lists "song" and "artist" which only applies to pop music. I got some help transferring the files onto a flash-drive where in my laptop I made folders which list composers in alphabetical order and subfolders for symphonies and concerti. The Vault went bad and had to be replaced on warranty and I don't use its storage, I plug in the flash-drive. I keep several copies of my library on backup flash-drives. Trying to use the Vault's storage and transferring it to my library is unmanageably complicated so I won't attempt it. I can add purchased downloads to my flash-drives instead.
I connect the Vault to a vintage MSB Platinum DAC.
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You don’t mention which node you have. The current NODE 130 is generally thought to be a SQ improvement over the 2i. I would suggest a good power upgrade to your Node. I upgraded my 2i with the Fidelity Audio PSU replacement module and one of their better L PSUs and felt the difference was significant and not at all subtle. I was so impressed by the upgrade that I waited until Fidelity Audio had the fitment of the PSU module and then got my NODE 130 from them with it pre-installed along with a $300 clock board. That was a very noticeable improvement as well. It compares very favorably IMO to a danadrips Ares II that was being used in a system comparable to mine that unused to demo new speakers at Upscale Audio in Laverne CA (I based the comparison on the speakers I purchased sounding as good at home as they had in the showroom with the Denafrips ).
That being said, the upgrade bug hit me and like one of the other responders to your post I now use the Gustard X26 Pro fax connected by usb cable to my NODE, which is yet another step up in terms of revealing more and an expanded soundstage. I think you will easily have to spend upwards of $1000 to improve anNODE w LPSU. The Gustard was very well reviewed comparably to many dacs significantly higher priced, and I found the reviews on point. Note in looking at DAC for your node that many work best via usb, and the Node 2i does not support that, though the NODE 130 does.
I am primarily listening via tidal (masters files when available), and listen to the occasional cd via optical into the Gustard (which also sounded good through the upgraded NODE). Note, Chord DACs seemed intriguing, but don’t do MQA, if that is important to you.
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