2. digital
  3. 158264-33880

Bluesound node 2i

Hi all

My Audio Research CDT1 is apparently unrepairable so I've been thinking about replacing it with a network streamer instead of another transport.  The local audio shop has the Bluesound Node 2i and it has a digital out that I can plug into my DAC, so it seems like a possibility.  But then the sales person said something that seems a bit strange to me: he claims that the sound will be much better if I plug it directly into the router than if I let it use the wireless.  Does anyone have any experience that would back up or refute this claim?  I admit I am a Computer Scientist not an Electrical Engineer, but I would have thought that any decent wireless streamer would buffer the input that came in and I think my DAC buffers and re-clocks whatever input it gets, so I'm not sure why this should matter.  For context I have Google WiFi and 450 Mb per second service.  Any other streamers I should consider? I know a lot of folks seem to like the Audiolab 6000N. Thanks for any comments.

Howard
howardlander
rhljazz
1,254 posts
 
I have a Vault 2 which by necessity is wired.  Sounds great.  In another system I have a Node 2i run wireless on the 5ghz band.  Sounds great.  
djones51
4,947 posts
 
The only problem with wifi would be dropouts as some have already mentioned. You can go into your routers settings and see which channels you're using as well as the channels any neighbors are using. If you happen to be sharing one just change yours. I never noticed any difference in sound between wired or wifi but I had to many drops in my situation so I had to run a wire. 
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
no drop outs given the buffering, shouldn't matter

have drop outs, get wired 
howardlander OP
10 posts
 
@lowrider57 Any cable suggestions? BTW, the node will be on a dedicated 20 amp circuit.  Does that make the need for an aftermarket cable any less?
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
@howardlander
Wireworld and Cullen C7 cables provided an upgrade in sound; deeper bass extension, wider and deeper soundstage, and increased detail. The Wireworld is more detailed than the Cullen, both gave the Node more weight to the music.

It’s great you have a dedicated line, but this mainly removes noise from the appliances and devices in your home, providing a lower noise floor to your audio.
The power supply in the Node is very small and comes with a cheap PC. A cable with pure copper and high quality terminations will make a noticeable improvement. It will feed the Node a cleaner signal vs. stock.

Try a cable from a dealer with a return policy.



More to discover