Perhaps your unaware that the Bluesound Node does not have USB out. Only SPDIF and Toslink. Connecting to the Ares via USB is not possible.
The Node current version is USB out capable.
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
- ...
- 91 posts total
Glad you let your ears do the thinking instead of basing your decision on specs or other peoples reviews. The BS Node device isn't that good compared to other streamers/especially DACs that are out there on the market. For the same $$$, I picked the Auralic Aries mini instead, plus the DS lightning software is fantastic, only Roon beats it. For background music, I like the Aries Mini. I used to own the AURALiC Aries and blew away the Aries Mini but it was 3x the price. I also use Apple TV's as Roon endpoints for background music. For dedicated music room listening, I would never use any of these products. |
@riccitone "Also happy you you’ve added a Rel t5/x to good effect. Was considering one of those for my own next purchase." I feel supplementing the LFs on the Quads opens up another dimension in how you listen to your music. For all the Quads pleasing qualities, I really couldn't have comprehended how much I was missing until I added the sub; when I did it was quite revelatory. Back on the Node again; I'm using its "sub out", and it's sub crossover settings at 80hz. This has relieved my amp, and the Quads of all duties at 80hz and below, and it frees up the Quads to do what they do best as small form stand mounts. They sound much more effortless and relaxed in their presentation without being fed all those LFs <80hz, and struggling to reproduce them. |
Finally a focused, constructive, well-mannered thread! Have been using Node 2i for a year with Tidal Connect into Hegel H95 (Coax) and Klipsch Forte II. Am waiting on delivery of new Verity speakers and shopping for new amp. After my own critical listening I was convinced built-in Hegel DAC was better SQ than the Node, but may have to rethink. Hard not to be influenced by the on-line naysayers about Node DAC quality. I anticipate sticking with Node streaming since I like Tidal Connect feature and have been happy with SQ, but we always think we might do better. Looking at Benchmark or Luxman amps, and external DAC, including RME, Benchmark and Pontus.
|
- 91 posts total