Blue sound Node 2 vs Lumin D1

If you plan on having access to your own digital database of music you should know that the Bluesound Node 2 has it’s own tagging system for playback and album art. For instance, I own a Bluesound Node 2 and I wanted to be able to play a very large collection (around 14K) of songs that were ripped from CDs and bought from Itunes. This was a library created by Itunes. Although the Bluesound Node two found the music, I had to redo many, many folders and tags for the BluOS (software) to find and play those files.

On the positive side, the customer support I had received from Bluesound was awesome. They helped me with the folders and retagging. You can see more details here http://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/bluesound-node-2-and-great-customer-service

Overall, I am very pleased with the Node 2, it is an outstanding product that is very flexible.

I know the Lumin A-1 is a little higher in price but I can say that I absolutely love the music that comes out of it.  

I have the bluesound node 2 and the vault 2.  I compared the bluesound using its own dac and compared wit my musical fidelity tri-vista 21  tube  dac  upgraded for another $1000 by sonic frontiers  and also used the DAC of my audio aero sacd prestige  and the DAC of my AMR CD 77 and the bluesound nose dac holds its own well. Very slight difference.  I love the blue sound app and tidal and MQA  good enough sound  I have the Geshman Black Swan, Harbeth SLH 5 plus, Spendor BC1, Focus 888 and Quad 63 monitors  and for  preamp  CJ ACT 2.2   and Amps  VTL 450 monoblocks, and CJ 350 SS  So a pretty good system and the BLUE NODE holds its own  comparing with  my  audio aero prestige sacd,  AMR cd 77 and clear- Audio solution turntable  with koetsu  Black and EAR 834 phono-preamp.  You will love the blue sound. I thought I was going to not like it . Try it  from diff sites that have 60 day trial then try an outboard dac  JBCrespomn

I have had a Node 2 for a while and regret purchasing it. Because I bought it from a dealer who had a few demo items he had discounted and I could have got the Bluesound Vault for a great price as well.

That being said, I love my Node2 but wish I threw in the extra for the Vault. The quality of the streaming (I use an updated Bidat dac) is on par with my cd through my ead transport. I hardly listen to CD’s anymore

The sound quality through the Node2 analog outputs was very close to the sq from the stream through the Bidat. If I knew this thing was as good as it is, I would have had no hesitation going for the Vault.

Assc gear: Classe CP700, Pass X150, Dynaudio Confidence C2.  Streaming with Tidal.

I have the Bluesound Node 2 as well. I’ll try to give quick bullet conclusions.

Pros

• Size
  
• Connectivity options
  
• Wireless stability (rarely a problem, and I mean rarely)
  
• Customer support. You can a live human on the phone--first call--in Canada. They solve any issue. Amazing in 2017.
  
• Sound: Superb. Note: I do, however, run a separate DAC NAD M51 from the Node. But the Node DAC is really something with Tidal. I can hear the difference though between nearly anything on Tidal and Spotify premium. Tidal is just better to my ear.
• Software: The software is pretty nifty and I generally like it. It gives you direct access to internet radio/streaming radio. The GUI is pretty solid--yet some small reservations on the software...see below. 
  
• Bluesound allows you to add in nearly unlimited players on your network. I have another unit in the kitchen (one of their sound boxes). The sound is solid and it fits my needs in the kitchen. All players can play the same thing or separately via the app. You can also press a button in the new app to have your current play selection "follow you" to another room/player.

Cons

• Wife thinks Spotify app is easier to use. She may be right, but native apps (Spotify and Tidal) have less features.
  
• There are a few wonky things with the software. None prevent playing of albums or playlists in any way or with any delay at all.   I have some issues in adding songs to playlists as I explore the vast universe of music. I can’t seem to add a song to a playlist that I’ve just dumped into my play queue. Instead, I have have to have the album open for that song to add it to an already saved playlist. Kind of odd.

I have not tried other hardware streamers, so I cannot comment on them. WHAT HiFi? gave the Node2 a strong review so for 500 clams, I popped for it and haven't looked back.  It's increased my digital playback from about 30% of my total listening to about 50%--the remainder has always been vinyl.

Finally, please note that I’m a vinyl lover and I have far more money invested in vinyl playback than digital (about a 3:1 ratio--vinyl : digital. And, I love my Bluesound Node 2.