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New to streaming, looking for a budget streamer

I live in the country and up till a couple day ago my internet service was not suitable for hi-rez streaming, I use spotify to stream for new music, not for serious listening.

We now have a Frontier9472 Network modum/router installed. It affords WiFI and has 4 ethernet and 1 USB output. I am looking for a streamer that can receive signal via any of these outputs and serve Qobuz. The Bluesound Node 2i seems a likely candidate as I will use streaming for music exploration and background listening. I will play the Node into my Audio Mirror DAC. 

I have 2 questions)

1) are there other streamers available that would serve my purposes that are around the Node price point? 
2)  Would a ethernet or USB connect best the Wifi for SQ?  I know there are other threads on this, some quite lengthy describing ways to improve over ethernet. I just want to use either WiFI or a cable.

As I explore the merits of streaming I will likely upgrade my approach. 
mesch
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Hi @mesch .
Bluesound Node2i is a great starting point. I used 5gHz WIFI with zero problems. For better SQ I upgraded to ethernet CAT6, then CAT8. The cable connects the router directly into the Node2i and then there are no worries about dropouts from Wifi.

Connect to your Dac via SPDIF coax or TOSLINK. I use the BluOs app through my Android.

calvinandhobbes
307 posts
 
The Project Stream Box S2 Ultra is also worth your consideration. SQ is quite good and could be better than that of the Node from comparisons I have read.

These were several reasonably priced upgrades that I have found to result in noticeable sonic improvement.

1. Turn off Wi-Fi & HDMI connections and use an Ethernet connection set up with a Wi-Fi extender acting as an Ethernet access port - This was the most significant improvement that I heard. My notes of the improvements were:
  • More presence to instruments and voices
  • Sound was clearer and more transparent like a veil has been lifted off of the music.
  • Better pace than when streaming via WiFi.
2. Switched from an AmazonBasics Cat 6 Ethernet cable to a Supra Cat 8 Ethernet cable
3. Currently using a Phasure Lush USB cable
4. Added a Audioquest Jitterbug noise filter to the USB output.
mesch OP
3,506 posts
 
Thanks Guys! I will look into the ProJect Stream Box however believe I will go with the Node. Use the APT on my phone or get a iPAD.  I have may AIFF file on HD which I can use via the USB and will look into a CAT8 cable for connection. Believe the SQ via my Audio Mirror DAC will serve me well. 
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Alo DigiOne
paulcreed
559 posts
 
If you are open to used a Auralic Aries mini with out board power supply should surpass a Node for less money.  Or a Auralic Aries with femto clock for a little more than Node, maybe $600 used. You have a nice dac, I think your dac deserves a better streamer than a Node.
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