2. digital
  3. 186269-89071

Upgrade from BS Node 2i?

Wanted to get some honest opinions - in the past, I owned a Gold Note streamer, and an STR pre amp...all of which sounded wonderful. But, music was really a tertiary usage of mine. Since then my system, and preferences have gone through big changes. I am now running Revel 228bes w/ dual Rythmik G25HPs. Anthem avm90 processor and ATI amp.

I am really enjoying 2 channel much more now, so thinking about a bump in sound quality. I run coax, so I'm using the dac of the AVM90. I know that w/ high quality streamers, there are other things (clocks, power supply, etc) that make a difference as well, not just the dac. So, where do I go? I was thinking a Lumin D2 but not sure. I don't want to spend a ton, as I still don't do music enough to justify spending $2-4K again (done that twice). 

I know eventually the anthem will become a Roon endpoint so I was thinking about waiting for that as well. But...I also like streamers haha. I'm looking for something w/ a decent app too, as I don't really like BluOS.

Thanks for any input, I'm just starting my search so open to all sorts of ideas. 

128x128ethos4lyfe
blisshifi's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
blisshifi
1,224 posts
 

If you are tech savvy and are searching purely for a music streamer and not a local file server, you can consider the Sonore OpticalRendu with a quality linear power supply. It will surpass many other “standalone” units that look a lot prettier for about half the price. Otherwise, as an Aurender dealer, I can attest that Aurender’s sound quality is worth the price of entry. You can find preowned entry level units that will likely fit your budget and sound excellent. 

soix
9,943 posts
 

An Innuos Pulse Mini is around $1200 I think, and it comes with their Sense app that gets high marks for both usability and sound quality.  They also offer very good customer support should you ever need it.  Best of luck. 

marco1's avatar
marco1
594 posts
 

Since you don’t like the BluOS app the point maybe mute but why don’t you upgrade the power supply in your node?  The improvement is not subtle and a good LPS can be had for a few hundred bucks.

sunshdw's avatar
sunshdw
263 posts
 

I have the STR Stack (see virtual system) and went from the BS Node 2i to a Lumin U1Mini to the Aurualic Aries G1. The Lumin was awful on all aspects including the App. 

Once I got the G1 I went into my preamp via coax, optical and USB with the latter winning to my ears. I have since upgraded the internal power supply, added a Network Acoustics Muon Pro and I feel I have a really good sounding streaming system. 

james633
1,048 posts
 

Ifi zen stream maybe. According to these guys it is cheaper and better. 
 

https://youtu.be/r7RMblioXuY?si=W5mQzp3IJitx2-Uo

More to discover