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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

 

 

128x128painter24
larry5729's avatar
larry5729
1,009 posts
 

I went through the same experience.  I added a Project DAC to my Node 2i and it actually sounded thin.  The DAC inside the Node 2i actually sounded better.  However, I was upgrading my speaker cables and power cords and the sales person from The Cable Company thought we should add a power cable to the node 2i and connect it using digital cable to my ARCAM AVR 550.  He told me a $550 BlueSound can't have the quality of DAC as compared to using the DAC in my ARCAM.  I told him I was not anxious to give up MQA Tidal offers and he said going digital will sound better.  He also told me MQA is way over rated and was perhaps just a marketing tool to attract audiophiles to Tidal.  I am still not sure I hear much of a difference.  However, I have been using a digital connection for months now and have not done another AB comparison.

I would also imagine the Project DAC at its price point may not have been the right choice.  Seems like most DAC's start at $1,500.  I wonder if I were to use a better external DAC if I would be able to hear an improvement in sound quality.  Adding a pair of Synergistic Research Level One Atmosphere speaker cable was probably the biggest upgrade.  I now can hear greater detail in the higher frequencies.  Perhaps adding a Luxman 509 amp might also be the next step to upgrading quality for 2 channel listening.  I have a source where I can purchase the Luxman for $7,000 compared to full retail of $10,000.  

speed005
5 posts
 

I have had a Node2i for a few years and have a/b’d the internal DAC vs Schiit Modi Muiltibit, Rotel RDD-1580 and Krell SBP-64x (well over 25 years old).  The Krell is the only DAC that I can honestly say adds a significant sonic difference.  I felt that the Schiit and Rotel were very similar to the Node.   The Modi was a little more forward with the soundstage and the Rotel set the stage several feet back.  In my opinion, the Krell sets the stage and PRAT just right for me  I can’t use the Krell for all streamers (NAD CI580) because of it’s age but it works very well with the Node 2i.  I will be holding onto the Krell as long as I can.  
 

 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
feldmen4
116 posts
 

My experience was different than yours but my upgrade delta was much larger and I was dealing with the Node 2. I upgraded to the Mytek Manhattan DAC and the result was night and day difference BUT the Mytek cost ~10x what the Node cost. I was happy with the Node before I got the Mytek but won’t ever be going back. I have no experience with the new Node version and wouldn’t be surprised if it is much improved over what I have. I totally agree with all the others that say let your ears decide. 
 

Matt

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,015 posts
 

@wlutke My mistake! Thanks for the correction -- and the suggestion.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,015 posts
 

@dtximages 

Audiophiles will always tell you what's most expensive, new, and interesting is "better".  Few of them are honest enough to admit they too can be deceived.  

Thank god you're here, then.

 

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