Just installed a bluesound node 2i , quality not so good

+1 @jjss49 
I went back and forth with my node from internal to external dac many, many times, on a variety of speakers. There is a difference that is unmistakable. That said, the internal dac isn't terrible and everyone has their own systems and tastes.

I agree with you hilde45, it is not horrible. I ran my Node,and then my Node 2 for a good 3 years or so with just the internal DAC. A couple of those was just with Spotify. When I moved into hi res streaming via Qobuz and Tidal,I was very pleased with the increase in sq.  I think for a lot of folks,the internal DAC is adequate. I still think it’s a great value for an all in one solution.

+5, agree with others.

The COAX OUT on the back of the Node 2i is still there for a reason.

The designers provided a good streamer platform with a decent Burr Brown 24/192 DAC inside the 2i series, and it works well as-is for most.  However, if streaming is a must and you spent good money on amps and speakers, the option is there for those who want to pair it up with a higher grade external digital analog converter.  

Connect a great external DAC to the Node2i, paired to a good amplifier and speakers, and bring the sound to a new level. The benefit of this has been discussed ad nauseam on many forums, fwiw.

I just installed my new Node 2i.

connected to Denon 3700h via supplied RCA cables.

very disappointed.

sounds heavy and bloated.

Qobuz via airplay to AVR is much cleaner.

Paul

folks buy the $500 node 2i think it is an end game thing

not

excellent streamer/ui with a training wheels dac aboard... is what it is...