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Moving up from a Node 2i

I want to keep it between 1K and 1500.00, closer to a grand if at all possible. I don't care about onboard DACs, since I have a keen liking for mine. What is out there for a streamer, new or used, that will sound better than the Node when outputting to an external DAC? I like the functionality of the Node, don't want something with a sketchy user interface. But honestly, I think my old Allo Digione (Raspberry Pi) might have sounded a little more organic and fleshed out than the Node.

What say ye, Audiogon?

Oz



128x128ozzy62
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,572 posts
 
Another vote for Aurender N100. It will be a definite upgrade in SQ and App Interface over Node 2i. The only thing Aurender can’t do is Roon, but their Conductor app is superb. 

You should be able to find a used one for around $1500. 
melvinjames
416 posts
 
I purchased a b-stock Sonore microRendu directly from the manufacturer for less cash layout than my Bluesound Node 2 and it clearly bests the Node 2 (maybe the newer 2i would make a sonic difference, I dunno). DACs in the mix: MHDT Lab Pagoda, Chord Qute EX, and Schiit Bifrost Multibit.

BTW, the Sonore Rendu products were recently awarded Hardware Products of the Decade by Chris Connaker (Audiophile Style) .. that’s a pretty good endorsement I’d say. Perhaps you might want to check out their offerings.


gdnrbob
4,452 posts
 
+2 for the Aurender.
I heard the difference between the Node and Aurender at Audioconnection. Both used the Ayre Codex as DAC.
The Aurender sounded much cleaner, bass was better defined.
The only thing I don't like is Aurender only offers Qobuz and Tidal, while Bluesound has a number of streaming services.
The Bluesound also allows for multiple room playback.
Bob
electroslacker
375 posts
 
Regarding streaming services, do these streamer apps have Internet browser functionality? Specifically, the Lumin App uses TuneIn to list radio streams, but Radio Paradise requires direct interaction with their website to set your stream quality to FLAC.  Would you have that navigation and interaction with these Streamer apps?
jaytor's avatar
jaytor
766 posts
 
The BDP-2 works very well, particularly as a Roon endpoint. If the BDP-2 includes the upgraded audio board, then there isn't much sound quality difference between it and the BDP-3. The latter has a bigger power supply which might provide a slight improvement, particularly in the bass. If your running the BDP as a server, then the 3 will offer faster performance and more capacity. 
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