The Node does it all. Many reliability issues bedevil it. DAC is ok but use the Schiit. I can’t compare to the Cambridge but the largest determinant of the sound will be the DAC. Does the Cambridge have a digital out so that you can utilize the Schiit?
Cambridge CXN vs Bluesoune Node?
I'm a total n00b to streaming, and have an old-school system comprising Cambridge CXC -> Schiit Gungnir DAC -> ARC LS27 --> ARC SD135 --> Vandersteen Treo speakers. I'm just now unboxing these after 4 years of bumpy life. But my season tickets to the Seattle Symphony have turned into access to streaming through YouTube. So I need a way to get the YouTube audio into my ARC electronics.
I first considered the Audioengine B-Fi, and then the Bluesound Node 2i and the Cambridge CXN. Some have told me the Cambridge has better sound, but only using its built-in DAC; so if I use my external Schiit DAC, I wonder if i would hear the difference.
The other thing I would like to do is access Internet radio. I'm discovering that I enjoy connecting to Accuradio on my Sonos Port when I'm working from home. I'm actually using an Ocean Digital Internet radio as my clock radio in my bedroom. So it would be nice to also connect Internet radio to my good system, although I'm not sure yet whether I want to pay for services like Spotify, etc.
If you were me, with this gear and these interests, what would be the most relevant differences between these options?
Thanks in advance!
I first considered the Audioengine B-Fi, and then the Bluesound Node 2i and the Cambridge CXN. Some have told me the Cambridge has better sound, but only using its built-in DAC; so if I use my external Schiit DAC, I wonder if i would hear the difference.
The other thing I would like to do is access Internet radio. I'm discovering that I enjoy connecting to Accuradio on my Sonos Port when I'm working from home. I'm actually using an Ocean Digital Internet radio as my clock radio in my bedroom. So it would be nice to also connect Internet radio to my good system, although I'm not sure yet whether I want to pay for services like Spotify, etc.
If you were me, with this gear and these interests, what would be the most relevant differences between these options?
Thanks in advance!
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- 13 posts total
Thanks mahler! Yes, the Cambridge has S/PDIF Coaxial and TOSLINK Optical digital outputs, according to Cambridge Audio's page for the CXN: https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/usa/en/products/hi-fi/cx-series-2/cxn |
BluOS doesn’t do YouTube. You need a Roku etc. for that. It does do Amazon, not sure if the CXN does. But the CXN reportedly supports Chromecast which should do YoiTube. I wouldn’t bet on either of them doing all that you want. A Roku will do it good enough for free mp3's. And it has TuneIn. When you move up to Qobuz or Tidal start with the BluNode. Good luck. |
A friend pointed out that since I already have a DAC I like, a DAC-less streamer may make more sense. Can anyone compare the Node 2i and CXN with the SHD Studio? https://www.minidsp.com/products/streaming-hd-series/shd-studio It's a streaming processor with Dirac Live, and Volumio. Any opinions? Thanks! |
- 13 posts total