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How much would I lose going to a Bluesound Node 2i

I'm considering going a much simpler route for digital. I play to a lot of vinyl on my Lenco TT and Era V phonostage, and so digital comprises 30-40% of what we typically listen to. My current setup is running Roon on a Synology NAS that connects wirelessly to an Auralic Aries LE, then connected to connected to my Metrum Octave DAC via Curious USB Cable and Audiophillio 2. That's a lot of links in the chain, thus the desire to simplify with a single box solution if I can.

I have really enjoyed what I've heard from MQA so far, even though I'm not getting all the goodness yet. My Aries will decode MQA but my Metrum Octave does not support MQA, so I'm not getting the full monty. I am using ROON DSP to convert streams to 96kHz and 176kHz when possible. 192kHz is not supported on the Octave.
It's my understanding that the Bluesound will provide Full Decoder support for MQA and that the internal DAC punches well above its weight, especially compared to the Node 2. So my question is whether I should expect MQA to sound better on the Bluesound than it does on my current setup, and how much Redbook will sound degraded, if at all.

I'm tempted to buy a Node 2i to compare for myself but before I do, I thought I would garner some opinions here.
Thanks!
smccull
catalysis's avatar
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catalysis
59 posts
 
It’s very clear that the Node 2i is a significant improvement on its superb predecessor.

In my system, rotating between Quad ESLs and Thiel CS 3.5s, I hear better sound at all times through the Node 2i than through my Benchmark DAC2 HGC. Frankly the improvement isn’t even subtle, MQA and otherwise.

This has totally amazed me. The Benchmark is a fantastic DAC and my original intention was to feed the Node 2i’s digital output through it. Turns out it’s better without doing that and I am able to do comprehensive A-B analysis. Anyone else who has heard to comparison agrees that the Node 2i is a winner.

A fabulous bargain.

asahitoro
244 posts
 
@catalysis

That’s good to know. I hope my results are similar to yours. I just picked up a Node 2i to replace my Node 2. It was too good of a deal to pass up so I’m giving it a shot. Mine currently goes direct into KEF LS50 Wireless speakers via Lifatec Toslink but I’m picking up a preamp so I can go analog as well. The KEFs only have one analog input and I also have a phono preamp that’s currently using it. MQA isn't a factor for me.
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,797 posts
 
I am loving my new Vault 2i.... it's an awesome machine.   I will definitely pick up a Node for another room down the road.    Amazing what this thing can do.
kenm10759's avatar
kenm10759
36 posts
 
I have Bluesound Powernode 2 to my desktop KEF LS50’s (passive), a Bluesound Vault 2 in my guest room setup, and BlueOS on my NAD T758v3 in the living room 5.1.2 setup. I like them all but know there’s more to be had from the LS50’s. When my dealer gets one in, I will demo the new NAD C658 and matching C268 power amp on the LS50’s. Because the C658 had built-in BluOS I don’t lose anything, but am anxious to hear what its ESS Sabre DAC chipset can do over the Powernode 2's Burr-Brown PCM5122, and I would gain DSD.
andynotadam's avatar
andynotadam
168 posts
 
I'm running Tidal and an SSD with AIFF files into a Node 2 and then into a Mytek DAC+ via spdif and, as decent as the Node 2's DAC is, going through the Mytek's DAC sounds way better, especially on MQA files.

Used in this configuration, it pretty much competes toe to toe with my loaded Bryston BDP-2 streamer. Also, the Node2's iPad interface is so much simpler and easier to navigate than the Bryston.

Have at it...
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