BluSound Node and Node 2

even though I’ve had a couple of Bluesound units go bad after a few years, I still use one that has survived and recommend Bluesound as an entry point to people who want high resolution streaming. It does an amazing number of things, and fairly well, at that price point.

As for reliability, well all streamers are networking computers that are gussied up to look and sound like audio products. I think of them like Dell Laptops. I’ve worked at places that had 20 or more Dells in circulation in one office, and every few months one has to be replaced. Maybe 80% survive the long run. I’ve talked with IT people that say when they open up the insides of a Dell they can’t believe what cheap parts are in use. Bluesound also probably has to cut a few corners to make that price point .

I heard the newer Node demonstrated at a shop, on equipment and recordings that I knew well, and I was very impressed with the improved DAC.

So I still think it is a great entry point for high resolution streaming, with one of the best apps. If you are unlucky enough to get a unit that fails hopefully it happens while under warranty. And if it goes bad after 5 years or more of heavy use, then the purchaser got their money worth. After all no CD Laser lasts forever either

latest version of the Node ("130") works great for me, so far... 

My Node 2i works great until it decides to not load itself properly. I've figured out how to simply help it find itself again but meh...I'll get tired of it eventually and upgrade to something else. Also I think its DAC sucks and I use a great sounding 64 bit Schiit Bifrost 2 with it. 

I am very happy with Bluesound Node, never had a problem for 3 months. For best performance connect to router with Ethernet cable with short distance. I use an external DAC to integrated amplifier. Sound is spectacular. My TV is connected via EARC HDMI, absolutely practical except when you turn on TV blue light blinks and you need to reestablish the connection, which is small annoyance. Other than it is a great experience. No jitter, no background noise, no skip. I think it is good value for the money. Jack of all trades, you can even use as a preamp. 

Anecdotal reports are well, anecdotal. We have no way of knowing how many units BS has sold nor how many actual problems that are real problems (not resolved by resetting the device and/or the modem router). We are just guessing.

If BS is experiencing a 0.25% failure rate, that would mean that yes, some people out there are unlucky. But not many. But they may be vocal on forums and such (like this one).

There’s always the issue of companies, even with a good design, having bad production runs. Things happen. Components might sometimes not be within specifications from a vendor. Training of new assembly personnel might instill issues.

Just many, many variables out there for any product at any price point. You can buy a computer and swear it is the best thing since sliced bread, but your friend can buy the same model a few weeks later and ends up cussing at it and cursing the day you told him about it.

We all takes our chances on anything made by humans for humans.

I will say that better companies have better customer service. At the end of the day, that sets them apart.

I mean for instance, many would think it wrong for iFi to keep selling the Zen Stream as a "Wi-Fi capable" streamer when obviously it isn't very reliable in that set up and running it WIRED is almost a requirement.  So should possible customers be warned about that as much as the OP is "warning" about Nodes being balky and breaking?