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Bluesound Node 2 question

I am posting this here instead of the PC Audio forum, because that one has tumbleweeds blowing through it most of the time.

When using the Node 2, does one eliminate the need for a PC or library software? I am currently using Jriver on my PC with music stored on an external drive streaming to a Chromecast Audio into an external DAC. Is there a way to connect the 1 TB hard drive directly to the Node 2 and eliminate everything else? I know it's a streamer, but unsure exactly what it's functionality is beyond that basic thing. Or do I still need the Jriver server software on the PC as a library?

Thx in advance


ozzy62
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,783 posts
 
According to the owner's manual, you can, but it doesn't specify how "large" of an external drive you can use.
2psyop's avatar
2psyop
1,869 posts
 
Yes the Node 2, for me, was the solution to my computer problem. I did not want to use my computer (Itunes and a library of music on a HDD) with my stereo. I wanted to play all my music, Spotify streaming, my digital music files (most of which came from Itunes or ripping my CDs) with my stereo by using my Iphone as the control device. Bluesound offered me this.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62 OP
3,424 posts
 
Thanks for all the replies. So you don't need to have any third party file management system involved? Like roon, jriver, plex, etc? I want to get away from using my laptop. I like the jriver media server, but I feel like the laptop is the weak link in the chain. I would like to have only the Node and my external drive with my music.

Shakey
randyhat
159 posts
 
The Node 2 is a great streamer without the "for the price" qualifier. Regarding the external hard drive.  You can use any sized external USB drive but that is not the optimum configuration. The problem with large USB drives is that the system has to re-build the index each time you power the unit on.  The larger your music collection, the longer it will take to rebuild the index.  The Node system really works best with a NAS.
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62 OP
3,424 posts
 
So I was thinking about something like the Western Digital Mycloud 2 TB hard drive. Seems to work like a NAS. Thoughts?

Shakey
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