I recommend a new (or open box) Bluesound Node over the older version (the Node 2i). I see it on sale now for $499. The new version has several improvements over the old, including USB audio out, HDMI ARC, and (apparently) a better DAC. This is assuming you have a HiFi set-up that accepts one of the Bluesound outputs, and (ideally) that you're willing to subscribe to a streaming service (such as Tidal/Qobuz) or else set up your own local digital music library (which you can host on a network-attached computer or on a drive/stick attached to the Node).
wanting to take a digital step
hello, more lately I have been discovering artists on Bandcamp and elsewhere who don't put things out on vinyl. More often new things I have bought on vinyl don't always sound that great. so with that I want to try a cheap set up of some kind to listen from my laptop connected to my system. I did have some cheap $10 interconnects that did the job, barely. just wondering what some digital vets would suggest. Any simple decent solutions for say <500 that would be ok? I have tried looking on different threads and it got confusing. Do I get a cheap CD player or some kind of better set of interconnects to listen from a laptop. I just don't know. thank you.
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A good starting point is the Bluesound Node (499), or the Vault (1399). the difference between the two are that the first you need a streaming service like Quboz, Tidal, or Amazon music or add your on storage. Adding storage isn’t particularly difficult but depending on your familiarity with IT, the Vault could be attractive since it has built in storage. High resolution music can be bought from HDtracks and Pro Studio Masters. here are some links, and good like, it would be a nice addition your system, which looks very nice! Bluesound products, Node and Vault:
https://www.bluesound.com/products/node/
https://www.bluesound.com/products/vault/
Streaming service: https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/discover
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good morning audiogoners, I want to thank you all for your recommendations. I will be researching the blue sound streamer. Those Schitt dac's look appealing to get started. I am excited to hear some music that I don't know about that I will love. Or maybe I'll go straight to the streamer but If I do go with the Schitt to start with my laptop what usb cord do I need to connect to dac? There are a lot of different ones(A-B, etc.) I don't know about, its confusing. I have a MacBook Air that I was hoping to use. I think I can use the standard USB port as an audio out but I don't know. I don't want to use the headphone out as the sound was crappola and I had to wiggle the cord to get both channels working.
Again thanks for the help, it is very much appreciated. |
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