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BlueSound Stinks(!), anyone?

I am looking for your help.  We recently switched from Sonos to BlueSound to get higher streaming rates.  So far we have had consistent problems and issues(!!).  Specifically, about 50% of the time my and my wife's BlueSound app does not recognize the Node 2i's.  When I delete the app, reinstall it and reconnect the Nodes, we again have the same problems at least 50% of the time.  It is simply a joke of a product and I find we are not alone.  I have tried just about everything.

Also, when I go online to get help, I find that I am not alone and there is a tsunami of negative (to the degree of very hostile) comments about BlueSound and for the most part it is the same issue.  I have tried just about everything and I am about to simply trash/sell mine and go back to Sonos.  If I do go back to Sonos, I will also leave a stream of bad comments on every forum I can since going back to Sonos will represent a big financial loss to me simply because Bluesound is an irresponsible/deceptive company at my expense.

Alternatively, I just want it to reliably work.  Do you you have and advice and/or guidance to get Bluesound to reliably work?  Is there a better alternative to to get higher bit rates thank Bluesound?

Thank you in advance for your help.  Dave


butterman
davehg
85 posts
 
I have two Powernode’s, the amplified version. They are grouped and run my in-wall speakers for the house. I control with Roon and it’s simple and easy, and the sound is decent.

I tested one on my main hifi, which at the time had Devore Super 8s. Plenty of power but the wireless mode was not good. When I hardwired, the sound improved a lot. But I don’t really like the sound of Class D amps, and the Powernode could not hold a candle to the Lumin D2 or my tube amps. 
For background sound it works fine, better than Sonos. Wish they made a multi channel amp has I had to buy several to power all the inwalls, happy I could group them and adjust each room’s volume separate if I needed.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
volfan615
6 posts
 
I've tried the Node 2i twice.  Yes not sure why I tired it a second time.  I ended up returning both before the return period was up.  Recently ordered a Lumin D2 and honestly it's night and day difference in both sound, app, etc.  
tjkurita
47 posts
 
I have found my node2i very stable. Also using an Ethernet cable to an Apple airport express. Compared to Oppo default streamer it is much more stable and a better overall interface (don’t know anything about Sonos). I did not do extensive sound quality comparisons because...
...The node DEFINITELY benefits from a good external DAC. The analog out on the node is not of the highest quality and would be a weak link in an otherwise medium to good quality system. I assume people with MEGA systems are not considering the node in their chain. 
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vanson1
126 posts
 
I found the node 2i worked great.  I did use the ethernet connection and if you want the best sound that should be standard. 

An external DAC does help with sound quality as well. 

Overall very satisfied with bluesound. 
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