Has Anyone Compared the DAC On a Bluesound NODE 3rd Gen to a Separate DAC?


The Gen 3 NODE has an upgraded DAC.  Just wondering what differences there might be in a separate DAC.

128x128tcotruvo

I started without external DAC…sounded good…then Added ares II…sorta sounded better but not big difference….added external power supply…no difference but it looks cool…upgraded DAC to Pontus II and immediate sound quality upgrade. Well worth it. You mileage may vary but that’s my journey…

daveinpa 

interesting that for you the $1000 Aires II was not much different than the DAC in a $500 NODE 

My experience of the Node N130 mirrors that of @daveinpa when combined with the Ares II. But very much a case of "ymmv", and very subjective.

I sold my Ares II and later upgraded the Node with a power supply upgrade kit and external PSU - which made a pleasantly surprising improvement. This can be done relatively inexpensively, especially the kit from PD Creative in Poland. Even if you bypass the Node's DAC, the PS upgrade still benefits.

I'm now using a direct sale, hand made DAC from a tiny 2 man operation in England - NJC Audio. A lovely neutral DAC with great clarity.

 

Good luck with your journey 👍

painter24

That’s good information!  I appreciate the lessons learned from others who have upgraded from the NODE.  I know that my equipment, room and probably music is different, but it helps me narrow my choices.

I got the 3rd gen Bluesound Node about 2 months ago and am returning it to my dealer.  The sound, to my ear, is thin with a smaller soundstage.  Both my Schiit Bifrost 2 and Topping D90 OG streaming from my iMac Pro sound better. I’m going into the Hegel H190 integrated.