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bluesound node 2i with chord quest

I am an old school listener.  I have a Wadia 581SE player, a deHavilland Ultraverve tube preamp modified with Duelund caps, a big Bryston 14bsst amp, B&W 802 diamond speakers, Purist cables and power cords and all run through an Isotek Aquarius noise filter. I have about 3,500 cd's.  
A few months ago my Wadia took a dump and the only people supposedly "certified" to fix it is George Meyer audio in Los Angeles.  After spending 1500.00 and having to send it back and forth twice from Wisconsin, the player seems to be working well again.  This has led me to consider High end lossless streaming which is totally new to me.  I have begun some research and the more I read, the more I am confused.  I have "sort of" (for whatever reason) been looking at running a Bluesound Node 2i into a Chord Qutest DAC as well as finding a way to electronically begin storing my collection of CD's.  I did look at the Aurender A10 for streaming and storage but I think it might be a little more than I can pay now.  
One of the problems with the streaming is I have no hard connection internet near my dedicated listening area
and, unless I tear apart my finished basement, may have to use wifi to stream...which I understand is not as sonically good as ethernet hard connection. I was a long time Audiogon member back about 12 years ago but have been away for awhile.  Anyone willing to guide me with some helpful advice would be appreciated.  I understand that there is lots of ways that I might proceed.  I am intrigued though with the Chord-Bluesound node connection.  I love my deHavilland preamp and the Chord has voltage input choices where I could match up nicely with the preamp.  Also, with the preamp I could switch between my streaming configuration and my old Wadia when I feel like it.  High quality sound is the bottom line for me.  I listen to mostly jazz but have everything.  Thanks, Jim
pfeiffer
chipdelacalzada
64 posts
 
I have the Chord Qutest and its a really great sounding DAC. I'm using it with a laptop though (Audirvana + Tidal) through a Wifi connection only and I've never had any drop-out/connection issues. 

Once, I brought my spare router which works as a Wifi extender into my listening room to connect my laptop via ethernet cable through the router but perceived no advantages in SQ between an ethernet and wifi connection. 

Provided your wifi signal is strong in your basement then you should be fine. If not, Amazon has a bunch of Wifi extenders with an ethernet out which you can connect to the Bluesound node 2i. Hope this helps.
pfeiffer OP
53 posts
 
Thank you very much for the informative responses.  Lots of things to check out!  Pfeiffer
big_greg
6,646 posts
 
I have two Node 2 devices.  One in my living room and one in my bedroom, maybe 25 feet away.  Both are connected to wifi.  I have a wireless access point in my living room and a wireless repeater.  I haven't compared to a wired ethernet connection, but both sound great over wireless to my ears.  The one in the living room is connected to an Auralic Vega DAC and the one in the bedroom to a Mytek Liberty DAC.
pfeiffer OP
53 posts
 
In light of your responses it looks like wifi might be OK.  However, if I decide to get crazy and run a new house ethernet cable through walls, etc.to my dedicated listening room, what is the best hard cable to purchase to serve audio streaming?  CAT6...CAT7?  I know there are quite of few out there now! thanks, Jim
reubent
7,005 posts
 
@pfeiffer  - I've never done this, so take it for what it is worth. However, I have seen several folks mention that they have used Power Line adapters to connect from the router to an Ethernet device in a remote location. There are wired Power Line Ethernet adapters and wifi Power Line Ethernet adapters. You would likely want to use the wired variety.
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