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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
wlutke
727 posts
 
+1 for Wireworld Mini Electra

mac742
10 posts
 
I have one issue with Bluesound stuff.

You will see this in all of their promotional product descriptions:

"...the NODE 2i connects your gear to all the music ever recorded."

Why would they make such an obviously false claim?  I don't get it.
I own at least 100 records that are not available from Tidal or Qobuz.

Not saying it's a bad product;  I know that lots of people like them.  

Does this bother anyone else, if even a tiny bit?
djones51
4,947 posts
 
The Node2i connects to more than Tidal or Qobuz. Have you checked Spotify or Amazon? Or the other stream sites you can access with the Node2i? 
jmphotography's avatar
jmphotography
161 posts
 
@howardlander I purchased a Node 2i about 2 months ago and have really been enjoying it along with a Qobuz subscription. I have Cat5e cable run throughout my home by me when our home was being built a few years ago going to my network closet, so I had a wall outlet where my system is located. We live in a rural area, homes are spread out in farm country so wifi is pretty sparse, but I feel it sounds better, more open with the ethernet. I tried both the 5ghz wifi and ethernet, and I have a brand new ASUS hi-end router. I have a AQ Cinnamon ethernet cable going from the wall to the Node, probably overkill but it sounds great. I also picked up a Nordost Purple Flare power cord for the Node. Now tonight, I added a Chord Qutest DAC and Oh my, a whole new exciting world. 
denverfred's avatar
denverfred
252 posts
 
Making the switch from wifi to ethernet made mega-differences in my Node2i. Do it now. Even a cr-ppy ethernet cable will make a big difference. 
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