Just got a new Bluesound Node. Very disappointed!

I also ran a Bluesound N130 with upgraded power supply via coax into originally a Denafrips Venus 2 then into a Terminator plus. I never had issues with the sound. Both DACs are obviously a big improvement over the internal one. I also very much liked BlueOS and the upgraded power supply improved performance slightly but not night and day.

I did upgrade to the full Lumin U1 and the improvement in sound was not subtle. But for what the Bluesound is, it’s a great device as a first streamer. Ears don’t lie, and in my system, streamers make a difference. But of course it comes at a much higher cost which comes down to what it's worth to each person.

I had tone control off, subwoofer off, fixed output, MQA external on.

Good to hear you sorted it out.  Bluesound is good for the money,  you need to spend a good amount more to better it in my opinion.   My next move will be something like a Lumin or Aurender , but that will have to wait until next year as I went a little overboard with upgrades this year.   

Glad to hear you figured it out. I agree with @oddiofyl… moving up in streamers will really help. I recommend Aurender… as high a level as you can afford. They are really natural sounding and get better and better in no small increment moving up their offering.

Thiel speakers can be really revealing of the source, maybe more than any speakers I've heard yet.  In my system they sounded good with my digital source, but a little like you described with my analog source.  Too bright.  I think your issue probably has more to do with your speakers and electronics than the Node.

the node is decent sounding devicehowever a better server does improve the sound quality in a very audibile way

we are streaming specialists and sell the node roon nucleus and 432evo servers servers as well as a few others the idea that bits is bits is a fallacy the difference in a streamer can dramatically improve the sound comming from the dac

to date we have tested auraylic aurender Inous sotm  modified mac minis and a few others the 432evo servers have proven to sound better theprevious servers and allow for mode lto model upgading

Dave andTroy

Audiointellect nj

streaming specialists