Concerning Tidal, Qobuz, MQA, Bluesound and using Bluesound gear with external DACs.
Some history:
Been both a Tidal subscriber and Bluesound user since 2014.
Have been a Qobuz subscriber since November.
Have 4 pieces of Bluesound kit in the house, including both the original Node N100 and the Node 2i. With respect to external DACs, started with a Bryston BDA-1 hooked up to an N100 via Toslink, then the BDA-1 moved to a second system where I already had another N100 when I picked up a Chord Qutest. Then a Node 2i replaced the N100 in my main rig, and the N100 moved to my office. Node 2i in main rig has been connected to Qutest by both Toslink and RCA terminated coax digital cables. The Qutest Coax inputs are BNC, so use an Audioquest adaptor BNC to RCA adaptor which goes for something like $10. I have nothing against Tidal, and nothing against MQA, but all things being equal if I had to choose, I'd take Qobuz over Tidal overall in terms of SQ.
With respect to Bluesound devices and MQA. Via its analog outputs Bluesound devices will do full unfold of MQA. Via its digital outputs Bluesound devices will do the first bit of unfolding, which gets you all the way to 96K when used with a non MQA external DAC. And I'd argue that most of the goodness is contained in that first 96K, there just isn't much material to be had above the 96K figure anyway. If I listen to the same MQA material via Bluesound device analog outputs to that of its digital outputs hooked up to quality non MQA DAC like Bryston BDA-1 or Chord Qutest, its no contest. Outboard DACs like these easily outperform the Bluesound internal DAC, even though via its analog outputs the Bluesound kit do the MQA full monty.
Having said that, I still prefer Qobuz, not just for Hi res, but for Redbook as well. And that is important, because the overwhelming amount of material out there is at Redbook (i.e. CD quality) level.
Oh, and not knocking the sound quality of Bluesound kit via there analog outputs. It's still good value for the money. But when hooked up to a good external DAC, it just takes things to a whole other level.
With respect to usability. I think the Bluesound kit is the best thing going for the money. Blu OS app is available on IOS, Android, PC, and MAC.
About the only thing that will truly beat it in my opinion is Roon, and that is a much more expensive proposition. But then again if you do go Roon (and btw I do), all of the Bluesound gear are Roon compatible and can function as Roon endpoints. And just keep in mind that Roon interface support is currently limited to Tidal, Qobuz and internet Radio; Blu OS supports far more streaming services.
Some history:
Been both a Tidal subscriber and Bluesound user since 2014.
Have been a Qobuz subscriber since November.
Have 4 pieces of Bluesound kit in the house, including both the original Node N100 and the Node 2i. With respect to external DACs, started with a Bryston BDA-1 hooked up to an N100 via Toslink, then the BDA-1 moved to a second system where I already had another N100 when I picked up a Chord Qutest. Then a Node 2i replaced the N100 in my main rig, and the N100 moved to my office. Node 2i in main rig has been connected to Qutest by both Toslink and RCA terminated coax digital cables. The Qutest Coax inputs are BNC, so use an Audioquest adaptor BNC to RCA adaptor which goes for something like $10. I have nothing against Tidal, and nothing against MQA, but all things being equal if I had to choose, I'd take Qobuz over Tidal overall in terms of SQ.
With respect to Bluesound devices and MQA. Via its analog outputs Bluesound devices will do full unfold of MQA. Via its digital outputs Bluesound devices will do the first bit of unfolding, which gets you all the way to 96K when used with a non MQA external DAC. And I'd argue that most of the goodness is contained in that first 96K, there just isn't much material to be had above the 96K figure anyway. If I listen to the same MQA material via Bluesound device analog outputs to that of its digital outputs hooked up to quality non MQA DAC like Bryston BDA-1 or Chord Qutest, its no contest. Outboard DACs like these easily outperform the Bluesound internal DAC, even though via its analog outputs the Bluesound kit do the MQA full monty.
Having said that, I still prefer Qobuz, not just for Hi res, but for Redbook as well. And that is important, because the overwhelming amount of material out there is at Redbook (i.e. CD quality) level.
Oh, and not knocking the sound quality of Bluesound kit via there analog outputs. It's still good value for the money. But when hooked up to a good external DAC, it just takes things to a whole other level.
With respect to usability. I think the Bluesound kit is the best thing going for the money. Blu OS app is available on IOS, Android, PC, and MAC.
About the only thing that will truly beat it in my opinion is Roon, and that is a much more expensive proposition. But then again if you do go Roon (and btw I do), all of the Bluesound gear are Roon compatible and can function as Roon endpoints. And just keep in mind that Roon interface support is currently limited to Tidal, Qobuz and internet Radio; Blu OS supports far more streaming services.