Bluesound 2i coaxial output sound quality

From my experience a DAC does matter w/ the Bluesound Node 2i.  I had one and it was decent.  Used the coax and fed that into my McIntosh C47 and there was a major upgrade in SQ.  Likewise when I got a Simaudio 280d DAC, it sounded much better through the Simaudio then on it's own.  But the streamer isn't the best quality.  Its good, but not great and a $1000 streamer/DAC sounds better then the Bluesound through a $3000 DAC.  But at least Bluesound app is polished...  

I’ve been into high end digital since tha advent of the CD while maintaining a high end analog rig. I have tried many combinations of streamers an DACs while upgrading my main system, office and creating a headphone system. See my User ID for a couple of my systems.

A streamer is every bit as important as the DAC as is the preamp etc. In a well balanced synergistic system they all must be of equivalent and equal sound quality. Finding this combination for your system is hard… hype, different opinions, different sound quality character among all the components.

But at this point in time, in general, if you find best in class, the place to start is assuming the cost of each piece should be about the same… Streamer, DAC, preamp, amp, speakers (these will be more).

So on my systems the best matches I got on my different components are the following (all are mature complete end point systems):

Main: Streamer $22K, DAC $17K, Preamp $17K, amp $22K

Headphone: Streamer $4K, DAC $4K, Headphone amp $5K

I have had dozens of combinations and spent decades building these… working my way up. The formula has changed as streamers, DACs and other components have gotten better.

So, don’t believe anyone that says the streamer isn’t important… either they are playing with sub $1000 systems, or just haven’t had wide enough exposure. Probably well intended, but without lots of exposure at many levels, it is easy for your head to tell you, “it’s just bits, it can’t matter”… and believe it. I thought that once.

Interesting comments.  I am new to the streaming thing.  But I build reference audio components, DHT DAC point-to-point wired with 20lb power supply.  IMO the DAC makes the biggest improvement.  The streaming device contributes but not to the level of the DAC but most of you have not heard what we manufacturer, and you cannot buy something like our DAC anywhere.

Now that being said, last night with the Node 2i, we found that Spotify was better sounding than Roon.  Very easy to hear the immediate difference. 

The Pro-Ject audio CD transport was also a major improvement in sound quality.

We used the Holo $3K DAC and the Rockna $16K DAC for comparisons.

I also have accessible the Auralic to compare to the Node 2i to see if any improvement and how much improvement there will be but we did not get the chance last night to take a listen.  I will probably do that comparison next week.

Thanks for posting your comments, very informative.

So, don’t believe anyone that says the streamer isn’t important… either they are playing with sub $1000 systems, or just haven’t had wide enough exposure. Probably well intended, but without lots of exposure at many levels, it is easy for your head to tell you, “it’s just bits, it can’t matter”… and believe it. I thought that once.

@dvdgreco

This is wise and thoughtful counsel from @ghdprentice. I simply do not understand the downplaying of the significance of the streamer. It is your digital source and thus vitally important. Increasing its quality will yield better sound just as improving your DAC’s quality. A compelling case could be made for 50-50 contribution.

Charles