Among all the upgrades I have had, an addition of a subwoofer is definitely most noticeable with the highest performance/dollar ratio. Speaker upgrade can be lateral, depending on the taste and various priority, always gain some by losing other characteristics. Amplifier is a distant next on the list. DAC, especially with current advancement of technology, it is a long solved problem, unless you are uber focus on the sound signature, and most of time you have to listen through microscope to appreciate the difference, which beat the purpose of music enjoyment. And above all, a good recording beats all, doesn't matter what format. When reading reviews, we have to have our own sense of validity and perspective to evaluate how much ourselves can tell and willing to spend to tell this much difference.
Bluesound Node 2021 DAC - I sold my Denafrips Ares II
I assembled my system last summer, after 20 odd years in the hifi wilderness. I’ve never been a vinyl guy, so wanted all the convenience of streaming, plus a CDP for my old collection.
I went for the latest iteration of the Bluesound Node - N130, a Naim Nait 5si and a pair of Quad S2 speakers, and Audiolab 6000CDT.
From reading various forums, watching YT videos, you know the script; I convinced my self that I needed an external DAC, as the majority view seemed to be that the BS Node DAC wasn’t very good. As I hadn’t owned hifi since the late 90s (Naim Olive) bi-amped system and Audo Alchemy DDE, I had no reference for how DACs sounded these days.
Anyway, in my new found conviction that I must purchase an ext. DAC, I purchased a Denafrips Ares II. Got it, plugged it in, and didn’t look back. I was content, it sounded good.
Then, about 2 months ago, I was fiddling around inside the Bluos app, with the subwoofer crossover, with a mind to buying a sub to supplement the LFs on my little Quads, and I had the belated brainwave to a/b the Node DAC and the Denafrips. I whipped out some spare ICs and off I went.
OK, I felt like such a fool, really stupid - I a/b’d for literally hours, trying to convince myself that the Ares II was night and day difference - it must be right? The Node DAC is sub-par, not good enough, mediocre, if things I read were correct.
But, in my system, to my ears, this wasn’t the case; I had difficulty discerning any significant improvements, certainly not £800 (£600 pre-owned) worth of difference.
I’m not knocking the Ares II, but in my system, the cost and the difference it made - and the difference between it and the much maligned Node DAC could not be justified sitting in my system at that cost.
Feeling like a complete tool, for rushing headlong in to the DAC game, I re-sold the Denafrips, bought a REL T5x and here I am.
I’m not going to look a further fool and say the Node DAC is the best, but i feel it is criticised unduly, at least the newest version at any rate.
Thanks for reading, I’m not sure this is a cautionary tale, but I just thought the experience worth sharing
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Here’s something that needs to be addressed when comparing the sound of the Node vs.Node with external dac. The Node’s analog outputs and digital outputs are active at the same time and both outputs are linked to the internal volume control. Therefore you will have two inputs on your preamp/integrated receiving a full signal at the same time. This will result in a certain amount of channel bleed-thru negating an accurate comparison. The sonic result is generally pleasant at first. I hear it as an increased spaciousness like reverb has been added to the recording. In any case the sound is altered/contaminated now for both inputs. I have observed/heard this interaction on my tube preamp which has a conventional input selector and on my integrated amp which has a push button relay switched input. IMO, the only way to perform an accurate comparison, one will need to physically remove one set of input cables when comparing. Too bad the Node doesn’t have the option to switch off the digital output. That would solve the issue. |
I would agree with you in that many situations the BS DAC sounds great without an outboard modern edition of DAC. I have found that in many cases, the fewer components in the chain sound better than more high quality components. IE a minimalist fewer components shorter signal path approach is the secret. |
Thanks for all your thoughts, some great insights. Just to re-iterate, this isn't meant as a criticism of the Ares II, but for me, and the difference it made to my enjoyment of my system, it just wasn't cutting it. After my epiphany, all I could think was, I have hundreds of £££ worth of electronics sat there that's not really giving me that return in sonic terms. So as I was assessing what sub to buy, it seemed logical to make the trade off that I did. It may be that my amp/speakers, ICs, SCs are not allowing the Ares to really shine; other systems may well do just that. But, I love the Naim character innate in the Nait 5si, and my Quad S2s have a real sweetness and character that I find very pleasing. So, I really don't want to break up this pairing right now, as they work extremely well together, As for the Node (DAC), I feel it is much improved by "cleaning-up" the Internet signal fed to it, plus 3rd party PC. (I know you could probably say that about any streaming component) Posted here in another thread, I have my router in the next room, sat with the TV, TV box, Sonos speakers, BluRay player, Smart light hub, ISP modem and network switch. Quite congested 😊. Anyway, I have a 15m run of Cat 6a into the listening room terminating in a TP-Link ethernet/optical converter, and another converter, taking the signal back to ethernet. This made a big change to the signal fed the Node, positively. I know I'm still getting noise from the last TP-Link converter's switch mode PS, but not as mutch as I was getting from the jungle of electronics in the other room where the router lives 😊. I think to improve the Node further, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I'll look to mod it with one of the available kits/PSUs; probably Teddy Pardo. I conclusion, I think, as @melvinjames mentioned, the Node is a bargain, maybe a little unduly criticised. But with a little attention to the ethernet signal fed to it a PC, it can be elevated to something that I feel is an absolute steal for someone working with a similar budget to myself. I'm not saying I'll never look at DACs again, but right now, I'm ok👌😊
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