2. misc-audio
  3. 134987-111355

Bluesound Powernode 2

Hello - this is my first post/question, hopefully there's someone out there who's brain I can pick.

I'm looking at the Bluesound Powernode 2 as a possible Roon end point to tidy up my kitchen system. I currently use a SB+ (modded squeezebox) into a Thorens TTA2000 (Class A, 20 - 30 watts or so) which, while sounding rather lovely, is a bit messy given the location, and I can repurpose the SB+ and amp in my office. My question re. the Powernode 2 - is it similar to/bear any family resemblance to the NAD D7050? I bought the NAD unit a few years back and thought it was pretty poor indeed. I'm not anti NAD, indeed I have their M51 in one of my rooms, but am slightly wary of cheaper class D implementations (just my gut/prejudice).

There seems to be a bit of a gap between the Powernode and the next all in one Roon amp solution - Lumin, Auralic or Naim.

Many thanks in advance.
Mike
egertmic
egertmic OP
8 posts
 
Thanks williewonka.

I don't really have anything of a similar price to make a meaningful comparison with but I'm almost certainly keeping the Bluesound 2 which is a thumbs up of sorts.

Interesting you should say that about cabling as I was quite surprised by the improvement in body that replacing the supplied power cable with a fairly modest upgrade (the always excellent and sensible "Mark Grant") made. I was dubious about whether it would make much difference on such a device but I guess it is plugged in next to the refrigerator!
williewonka
3,075 posts
 
@egertmic It’s quite understandable that power cables would make such a significant improvements because the Node 2 is so small and therefore, so is its power supply.

A good power cable definitely augments the abilities of the Node 2 power supply.

Good IC’s will also make a significant difference. But it then becomes an issue of how much does one spend on a $600 box.

I had some very expensive IC’s attached and the improvements were amazing,

But where does one "draw the line?
- Is it prudent or sensible to spend 3 times the cost of the box on cables?

Personally - I like to squeeze every ounce of performance out of each component in my system. I also tend to view my cables as components.

Fortunately I am a DIYer so I can afford to have the best cables attached to the Node 2 for a very reasonably priced solution.

Regards - Steve
oblgny's avatar
oblgny
848 posts
 
I just bought a used v.1 powernode for dirt offa eBay and found it to be a decent enough temporary addition to my two-channel setup - rather, a replacement for my former two-channel setup since I sold all of it off to satisfy various unexpected bills of the sort we all loathe.  

I accepted my gf’s offer to take her Marantz 2250b receiver and a pair of Meadowlark Kestrels until such time I am in any position to return to a bonafide “hi-fi” setup.  (I had gifted her both of the above about 6-7 years ago.)  As a stop-gap system it was quite okay but nothing special. 
egertmic OP
8 posts
 
There's a timing coincidence...I just sold my Powernode2 on ebay yesterday!!!

I was originally concerned that, coming from the same family, it would be a bit like the Nad 7050 which I really didn't get on with. Thankfully it was considerably better, and I probably should have stuck with it, but some upgradeitus (fuelled by  drink or two) saw me buy a used Naim Uniti...

Hope you're able to get back to where you want to be on the hi-fi ladder soon.
More to discover