[help] I'm too Boomer to stream. :-(


So I purchased a Bluesound node 2i after a previous discussion here. Now I can't get the node or BluOs program to recognize my music on other laptops that are on my same wifi.  When my laptop and hard drive was connected to my Parasound Zdac, I could usb the computer into the dac, and use an optical cable from my tv out to the dac.  The node doesn't seem to have a way to allow my tv into the node's dac (my tv only has optical & hdmi out for sound) & node has no inputs for hdmi or toslink) so I'm stuck with the dac of the node for streaming music and the zdac for tv audio with the two different analog outputs from 2 different dacs going into my integrated amp. I'm frustrated and feel like I spent this money for a ghetto rig, plus I can't even make libraries , etc. Totally confused and have tried making everthing "dicoverable " on network setting to no avail. So lost, angry, sad, confused and frustrated. And I swear to god if millerwhoever says I should have bought a tricked out fuse or dumb little cone, I'm gonna lose my s***.
128x128labguy
@labguy,

We understand your frustration. As others have pointed out, there is a bit of learning curve with Node 2i.

If the idea behind Node 2i was to eliminate laptop from your system, then Node 2i makes perfect sense. I would connect Node 2i using its RCA out to your Integrated. Secondly, I would transfer all the music from your laptop to NAS and connect the NAS directly into Node2 USB input. The default password for external NAS access is ‘admin’.

And lastly, download the Bluesound iOS app on iPad. You can sort your library by 7 different categories (all listed under Library icon).

If you plan on streaming from Tidal or Qobuz, I would recommend a wired Ethernet connection to Node 2i over WiFi. The hardwired connectivity does sound better to my ears over WiFi. BTW, I own Vault 2 so feel free to PM me if you have any further questions. 
PS: Sorry, the node 2i internal DAC cannot be used with external devices. 

Good luck!
I got a node 2i and absolutely love it... Initially had difficulty connecting to my existing library... And grudgingly put in an email to Bluesound tech support (I say grudgingly because I had low to no expectations)... Turns out they were awesome and got me all fixed up (my Jriver (which I loved) is now obsolete) . 

If you allow them to... They will remotely control your computer to resolve... so less need to worry about your technical prowess. 
Also...re. Bluesound Tech support...ask them to CALL if you need to (that's what I did)... I find that much easier than going back and forth in email.

Still shocked to get useful support in this day and age... Big fan of them now. 


Thanks everybody. I'll elaborate more later tonight. I'm at work right now. I was able to get the internet radio stations to work. For some reason I thought the node would wirelessly recognize my Flac files that are playing on my computer using foobar2000. I had hoped to interface the two wirelessly over my internet connection/IP address. I'll try contacting bluesound, and getting more suggestions here later.
Whatever folder your Flac files are in needs to be on a network share then the node should be able to see them it won't  use foobar but it's  own player.