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Questions about Node 2i

I'm trying to work out a fairly low cost streaming solution.

Current set up is Apple TV to Schiit Modi 2 Uber and the SQ is just okay. I don't think the weak link is the Modi.

I'm trying to do this on a limited budget so looking at a BlueSound Node 2i. But I have some questions.

1) How much SQ advantage is there with the 2i over the 2. The Node 2 can be purchased used for less than $400. What! HiFi gave the 2i glorious reviews over and above the 2 but couldn't really explain why there was a difference as the DAC was not upgraded.

2) The features list says that the 2i and the 2 will play music from my own external HD but only mentions it once and does not elaborate. If I have ripped CDs in an iTunes library on a HD will it play it through the Node 2?

3) The idea of a multiroom player appeals to my wife....which is always a good thing when spending money on hi-fi stuff. But, they're basic speakers are $300 each. I'm assuming you'd need at least 2 for a room to sound decent at all. The SQ does not have to be great for this application but spending an additional $600 to get okay SQ in another room is more than I'd like to spend. Can anyone speak to the actual quality of such a set up?

4) Do powered speakers from other makers than BlueSound work with the Node 2i or 2?

5) If I have a Node 2i or 2, is there any further role for the Modi 2 Uber or any other low price DAC?

Thanks for any assistance or experience you may have to share.

George
n80
n80 OP
2,134 posts
 
I’ve got an Apple TV. First or second gen. I have been told that it down samples the music so using it with Tidal hi-res would be pointless.

Others say the SQ via Apple TV is terrible.

In my experience, playing Amazon Unlimited music via Apple TV into my external DAC (Schiit Modi 2 Uber) the SQ is not bad. It isn’t great and certainly does not sound as good as playing ripped CDs via iMac hard drive into the same DAC via USB.

I have not tried playing a ripped CD through Apple TV.
ljgerens
161 posts
 
I believe you are correct about the Apple TV downsampling Hi-Res files, that is why i suggested using it if you are playing ripped CDs on your computer. I have never played any HI-Res files. I stream my ripped CDs wirelessly to an Apple TV or Airport Express because my iMac is in my home office and my systems are in different rooms. I use my iPhone or iPad as a remote to access the files on my iMac. I think the SQ is great with either the Apple TV or Airport Express. When I did try USB directly out of my iMac to any of my DACs, I could not detect any difference compared to streaming wirelessly to the Apple TV using the optical out into the DAC.

I found the SQ of streaming my ripped CDs to an Apple TV or Airport Express to be as good as using my CD players. I have since sold off my CD players and play all my music from my ripped CDs on my computer. It is just so much more convenient. Even my 3 year old grandson uses his iPad to play music on my wife's system when he visits.

My son's system is more expensive than any of mine and he still uses the Apple TV and hasn't found anything better that works as simply at a reasonable price.
n80 OP
2,134 posts
 
That will be easy enough for me to try using my newer iMac. The current iMac I'm using as a server is over 10 years old and sits next to my system on a table. It is not going to fit in the new built in shelves I'm building for my system (and hundreds of books).
n80 OP
2,134 posts
 
Hmmmmm.

Playing my ripped CDs from iTunes/BitPerfect through Apple TV and into Schiit Modi 2 Uber via Toslink does sound rather close to doing the same thing directly from computer into DAC via USB cable. Maybe subtle differences but hard to call one better than the other.

(When I first tried this the ripped CD via Apple TV was way too bass heavy and boomy until I realized that the iTunes EQ was on.)

And it all sounds pretty close to playing CDP through same DAC. 

This goes against most serious audiophile advice. The common denominator of course is a low end DAC. Maybe that's just leveling all inputs? And maybe with each step in the wrong direction the degradation is subtle enough that I'm not noticing it as a problem? But with each step its getting additively worse? Sound like audiophile angst? Some of you may not doubt your ears. I doubt mine.

The bottom line is that I'm listening to ripped CDs through Apple TV and a low end DAC and it sounds okay to me. I guess that's all that matters.




ljgerens
161 posts
 
You have to be careful with iTunes. for the best sound quality the EQ has to be off, the volume adjust should be at the center point (none), and the volume control at the upper left should always be at maximum. Otherwise the SQ will be affected. Any volume adjustments should only be with your preamp. 

Also, a lot of low end DACs sound pretty good. Everybody hears things differently so there is never a consensus on anything in the Audio world.
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