I’m having intermittent issues with my Node 2i, but when it’s working right it’s pretty good. I was surprised that the internal DAC is as good as it is. Running out to an Oppo105 sounds only slightly better to me, but Firestick to TV to the Oppo was definitely 3rd place. Glad to hear support was helpful for you.
So I'm up and running with my streamer but....
I finally have my node2i hooked up and linked to everything. Here's the interesting part... when I stream a CD quality Flac file, or a 320mb mp3 through the node to my Yamaha integrated and revel speakers, it doesn't really sound discernably different than streaming through my firestick/TV to a parasound z DAC >Yamaha integrated > Revel speakers. Both node and the TV are hardwired to the router by ethernet cables. I feel like I could have just used the firestick as a streamer instead of paying for the node. What am I missing here?
p.s. I haven't tried using the node through the Z DAC, but it's very weird that the firestick and parasound zDAC sounds as good as the bluesound node 2i.
Am I doing/hearing something wrong or is the DAC the only thing that makes a difference when streaming? If so, I could sell the node2i for a more expensive Dac for the firestick.
Anybody else ever experience anything like this?
p.s. I haven't tried using the node through the Z DAC, but it's very weird that the firestick and parasound zDAC sounds as good as the bluesound node 2i.
Am I doing/hearing something wrong or is the DAC the only thing that makes a difference when streaming? If so, I could sell the node2i for a more expensive Dac for the firestick.
Anybody else ever experience anything like this?
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- 11 posts total
I wouldn't be surprised if most good DACs can do a good job with any half-decent USB stream, but as audiophiles we obsess about everything in the path. When I hear someone praising a USB cable for delivering great bass, my brain aches and my lip curls, but my audiophile heart wants to believe, and my wallet get emptier. |
The remote session from bluesound was a huge help. I was just simply surprised that streaming Spotify app on a smart TV to my external zDAC provided as good as sound as it did for such a budget solution. Definitely something that a person with budget restrictions may want to consider, kroger feedback or the other members here may have experience with some be able to chime in on. We tend to think substantial new purchase equals substantially Better Sound and that just simply isn't always the case. |
The quality of your dac, dac cable and streAmer has everything to do with how much better it sounds,or just sound ok the bluesound is a very basic entry level design which is a good start ,don’t. Expect too much in truth you need to spend at least $3-5 k just to get very a respectable digital front end ,that is about the average in cost.buy A LuminD2 for under $2k great value nice streamer ,respectable dac just plug ina external Harddrive .much better quality . |
- 11 posts total