Upgrade from Bluesound Node

My new PS Audio AirLens is a terrific streamer...didn't mention it because it doesn't do Amazon...use with I2S cable into PS Audio DS2 DAC...

I have to check that one out. Thank you!

@2psyop ​​​​​​

Is there a SQ difference in the 2 PS upgrades you did? There looks to be a big price difference between the PD Creative inboard upgrade and the Pardo external supply. Does one sound better and how big of a difference do you notice between the two? I have 2 Node 2i's in different systems and would love an upgrade on main system. 

@chemarcelo

You didn’t state which Bluesound Node you have. Apparently, there have been significant improvements with the model upgrades, and even the original was rated Class B by Stereophile. I have the Node 130 and the Ares II, and I think they sound great. I’ve compared a hi-res Qobuz stream to an original vinyl pressing of the same well-recorded rock album, and heard no differences. (If you look at my system, you’ll see I run vintage Classé Audio electronics into updated Apogee Duetta II speakers--a very transparent, revealing system; and although I’m in my sixties, I am a highly trained listener and have been able to discriminate differences between some cables, especially interconnects, AC cables and speaker cables.)

I would suggest that the DAC upgrade might be worth considering, but certainly you should be sure that other issues like your room acoustics aren’t more significant weak links in your system. Also, the BlueOS app let’s you check how strong your wi-fi signal to the Node is--mine is excellent, and that may make a difference, especially if you’re streaming hi-res. If you’re just streaming CD-quality files or worse, that’s a weak link right there. Basic Amazon sound files may be more the problem than your gear.

hheedah

Yeah there is a difference between the two power supplies with Teddy Pardo having a lower noise floor. The external box (Teddy Pardo) is the linear power supply which is not located in the Node X. The PD Creative is also very good but the power supply circuit board REPLACES the board directly in the space where the original PS board was. It is a very subtle difference and only in loud listening sessions when there was a break in music did I hear a difference. To be honest there were bigger differences in sound between the original Node (internal DAC) and the Node X (new internal DAC).

But I was very surprised that the newest Bluesound Node X is very, very good out of the box with its internal DAC and power supply. It far surpassed the original Node in performance. I did a head to head match informally and it was no contest.

Having said all that, I am fully aware there are better streamers in the audio world and at increasingly higher prices. What my point is with Bluesound is that in their price bracket they are great, offering ALSO longevity of customer service. Adding a better external DAC and power supply increases the performance.