2. digital
  3. 138965-118223

Hardware Streamers

I am loving the feeling of the hi-res world at your fingertips with Tidal. Well, not really the world.  I'm currently using my laptop to deliver Tidal MQA streams and I would like to free up the laptop.  I've read some discussions here on the Bluesound Node 2 (now 2i) versus other devices.  My Hegel amp has a very nice DAC with a USB input, so I would use the digital out from whatever device I choose.  Some of you have indicated that you don't like the sound of the Node, but if I use the Hegel DAC, how much difference might I notice between it and something like the Aurender N100H.  The sound from my laptop is pretty good, but the laptop cost 1/3 of the Aurender.  Could I expect the Node to sound better/worse than the laptop?  What about the Aurender?

 Would love to hear from any of you who have used the Bluesound products and anything else in a reasonable price range (that is, if the N100h at $2700 is my upper end).
cstaples57
rhljazz
1,255 posts
 
I have used the Vault 2 all summer.  The stored CD’s sound like I remember them.  I have a Tidal subscription which has worked flawlessly.  I have zero complaints about the sound of the internal dac.  The Bluesound easily beats the Oppo 105D for sound quality.  You can always add the dac of your choice.
I find the Bluesound user interface exemplary.  
I just received my new Node 2i.  I haven’t hooked it up yet.  It will be going into the system at my winter home which is a big step up from the summer home.  It will be a few weeks before I can hear it.

2psyop's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
2psyop
1,617 posts
 
Many options out there. Sony, NAD, Aurender, Arcam, Sonos, Linn, Cambridge Audio, Bluesound, Esoteric, McIntosh, Pioneer, Yamaha, and many, many more. I opted for the Bluesound Node 2. It streams many services, including Tidal and MQA, it plays all my AIFF files from my old ITunes library and it is very versatile. I play music wired or wireless off my own network NAS and can attach USB or Hardrive music directly to it. I use my IPAD or IPHONE as a controller/remote. Sounds fantastic. For $500 it is a true Hi-Fi bargain.
mahler123
3,378 posts
 
I use Bluesound, with the Vault2 in my two channel system and a pair of Node2s in HT systems around the house.  I haven’t used the usb connection to a DAC, but via the toslink they sound wonderful.
  I also have an Oppo 105 in my two channel system and I’ve experimented with using it to control my NAS and I would disagree with the previous poster who said it was inferior to Bluesound.  As a digital transport into the same DAC (Mytek Manhatten), they sound very similar.  Prior to my purchasing the Mytek I was using the 105 as my DAC, and the Vault2 was clearly sounding better as a transport into the Oppo than with it’s native built in DAC.  
  At any rate the OP will be using the Hegel as a DAC.  The Node2 is a really good value.  The control app could use some work but it’s improved compared to 2 years ago and is continuously updated.
when it comes to streamers the App is a huge part of the experience.
More to discover