Walk me thru upgrading from my BS Node
First off I like the Node, the box was easy to install, form factor is excellent for my space (in a credenza) and the UI is excellent... and it has been bulletproof in terms of connectivity in the wireless mode. I have been pleased with the audio quality, but I haven't really compared seriously an upgraded solution
However after reading quite a bit of opinions across the digital thread I am really curious as to the order of magnitude audio improvement.
Budget is around $5-7k
I need the singular physical box to be reasonably small, it is in a credenza so I don't need to see a screen, I would prefer a set and forget interface like the BS... once it is up and dialed in, I don't need to mess with it...wireless only as the cable reach is prohibitive, connected to a Manley Stingray II...streaming Qubuz only...
The message I get is that the BSN is a good starter solution, but upgrading the DAC/Streamer is worth the ride..
Where to look, the YT reviewers (with the exception of Amir) just fawn over every product they test...
Other questions.... 1.) Audphil1- I have a Wireless Extender...am I correct in assuming that if I position the extender close to my set up and use an ethernet cable to connect to the BSN my sound quality would improve? 2.) Blisshifi- Just curious, does NAD use the BS UI for Qobuz Thanks to all for your help! |
@poke33 I wouldn’t assume wiring the BSN would improve sound quality. Only way to find out is to try. In example of AURALiC they typically sound best wireless. I would seriously consider a DAC with a built in renderer and Roon as your music server/database/UI as opposed to a streamer with a built in DAC. Now, there are ultra high end all in one units where I’m sure all the due diligence was done in R&D and they may be a completely different ball game. But we’re not talking about those with a $5k-$7k budget. These tend to be well into five figures and more. |
Do you have an external DAC? Is MQA important to you? And I tried Wi-Fi with an extender and I still had dropouts. I ended up getting a Netgear Powerline 2000+ and it’s been great! Check it out. NETGEAR Powerline adapter Kit, 2000 Mbps Wall-plug, 2 Gigabit Ethernet Ports with Passthrough + Extra Outlet (PLP2000-100PAS) https://a.co/d/hoRnpk6 All the best. JD |
+1 to the HifiRose or Lumin recommendations. Also +1 using an extender and cable. I don’t own one, but so many “fawn” over them (as you so aptly described). But serious, excellent sq and UI. I’m personally using a rpi based streamer by Pi2design. If I could swing the $$$$, however, I’d be all over the Hifi Rose. Have also heard a Lumin T1, and that is simply amazing. Also Lumin mini without a dac if you’re going to go with separates (recommended). As far as the extender, just switching from wifi to using a cable from a network connected extender actually improved sq for my setup. Too many variables to consider exactly why? But the difference was clear, obvious, palpable. Just using a TP Link extender in client mode. It requires just a bit of setup by connecting to it via laptop (recommended instead of trying wps) but super simple after that. I might also try an Ethernet RF filter. It’s been recommended on the rpi thread about my streamer. Also recommended to use only one in the path in the case of a streamer, not two. We’ll see if it does anything, cheap enough to try. Lastly, a Melco ethernet cable is a very, very nice Ethernet cable for the money.
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