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
yashu
196 posts
 
I have the node2 as well as Oppo 105d.

Listening to Tidal through the Oppo is far superior to the node2.  Much more detail and a more well rounded musical presentation.  The node while very good just doesn’t compare to the oppo for sound quality.  The node is however more versatile with many more options (internet radio) available.
cstaples57 OP
5 posts
 
Yashu,

Are you using native DACs with the Node and Oppo when you do the comparison? 
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
Node2 or 2i do not support a USB output if that's all your DAC handles. The analog output is quite good unless you have a high quality outboard DAC.
cstaples57 OP
5 posts
 
Also has opt and coax inputs, so I should have it covered.
yashu
196 posts
 
 Cstaples,

Node runs directly (rca) to my integrated amp.  It is using its own dac.

With my Oppo 105 I run directly to my amp using balanced cables.  So it is using the oppo dac.  Sound is far superior thru the oppo.
More to discover