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All Hail the meek --yet mighty – NODE 2i

Here’s a salute to the venerable Bluesound NODE 2i. It’s not much to look at, but what piece of audio gear has been more ubiquitous and held up better over the past ten years than the NODE 2i? It opened the door to the wonders of quality streaming audio for legions of us. I’m guessing the lion’s share of us on this forum have owned or are very familiar with the NODE. So let’s take a moment to acknowledge and applaud that it has been the mainstream standard for nearly a decade. How many other pieces of gear have come and gone in our systems over that timeframe while the NODE continued to sit humbly on its perch?

But I’m not writing an obituary here. The Node 2i continues to be the standard, in my mind, for sub-$1000k streamers – and then some. With smartphones and cars -- even though they might have years of service left in them --we reach a point where we want something new. So it is with audio gear. Like many, I got caught up in the hype of the latest Chinese streamer last year. At first, I was amazed at its level of detail. But with time I realized that the detail came from an overly bright top end, and that other frequencies, especially bass, were lacking. When I put the NODE back into my system, it was music to my ears. Over the entire spectrum, it was simply better. With the NODE the mids and treble still had plenty of detail, but they also had body and tone – and musicality. And let’s not overlook its excellent and rock-solid user interface software. All it lacked was the sexy touch screen that I never actually touched.

I also tried a $3k streamer last fall. It was excellent across the entire spectrum, but its overall sound was dry and analytical. I can’t claim the NODE was better, but in many ways, I preferred its more natural sonic signature, and in terms of price, there is no comparison. I couldn’t justify spending that much money for only minor improvements.  

So here’s to the NODE 2i. I will continue to keep my eyes open for a streamer upgrade that is reasonably priced and that is actually a noticeable improvement, but until then I’m going to continue to enjoy my NODE 2i without apology. Anybody else out there agree with me?

wester17
panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
462 posts
 

I bought my Node last fall because of one feature - a headphone jack. I was about to have shoulder replacement surgery and looking at about a month of enforced indolence. You don't move around much for  at least the first couple weeks, so I wanted to catch up on my listening with my HiFiman Sundaras. At full volume, the Node could just drive those notoriously inefficient phones to a good listening level. Other than that, I've been completely pleased. I've since moved the Node to my office and added a Topping DX3 Pro which drives my Sundaras very nicely.

Overall, the Bluesound Node reminds me of the Large Advent speakers from the 70s: It sets a bar for overall performance and value that's hard  to beat. It may not be the absolute greatest at any single performance aspect, but it is very good and sins are those of mostly omission, not commission. And you have to spend a lot more for small improvements. It will probably be the last thing I'll upgrade. 

drmuso's avatar
drmuso
92 posts
 

@moonwatcher 

Yes, you can use the USB as an output to a DAC--that's what I do, but this only became available starting with the Node 130, so the 2i or earlier models won't do that, if I understand correctly.

I'm using a Denafrips Ares II DAC, and I think it is only marginally better than the DAC in my Node 130.  I suspect you have to go further up the Denafrips line to get a significant improvement over the Node's DAC.

The addition of the Teddy Pardo LPS to the Node made more of a sound quality improvement than the Ares II does.  I think the Pardo people say it elevates the sound quality of the Node to the level of $2000 streamers.

Yesterday I listened to a few YouTube comparisons of the Node X and the Eversolo AM6.  Based on these reviewers' impressions, it sounds like the Eversolo might be more detailed and brighter, so a good match for a laidback-sounding system.  I hear live music as not so analytical, detailed or bright, and I think the Node provides a more natural, "musical" presentation than some analytical and detailed components do.  I have compared Node hi-res streams to the same CDs and LPs, and often the streams sound just as good.

I also wonder if the lack of a graphical screen on the Node is actually a plus; if the electronics needed for a screen might detract from sound quality.  I have two universal disc players that have controls for disabling the video electronics for improved audio quality.  I have heard the improvement in deep bass when disabling the video.  The info provided by such screens is available on my smartphone when I'm using the Node, so I think that is more convenient anyway.

 

moonwatcher
372 posts
 

@drmuso, Thanks for those insights.  Yes, I've heard others (on YouTube) say the Eversolo AM6 is somewhat "bright" or "analytical" sounding (but that the more expensive AM8 is a bit more neutral). I think I'd be using an external DAC in any case - eventually.  I was looking at the Ares II but "mission creep" is setting in and I don't want to have to entertain selling and then buying again, hence my interest in a Pontus 15th and calling it a day, since that DAC or another one in the $2K or less range likely will provide all my system is capable of delivering. 

Nice to know that Node (the current version) or Node X can provide USB output to a DAC.  Thanks again!  I do find it a bit strange that since a LPS can indeed bring out the "best" in the Node that they don't simply offer one themselves as an option. Wish they did. 

Oh, and yes, in many cases - depending on how well things are isolated - a display screen can elevate the noise floor of electronics, at least in theory. I had an old 1990s portable Sony DAT recorder and the recordings sounded better when the display light was not on.  Perhaps WiiM will make a setting in software to turn the screen off for critical listening. We'll see. 

macg19
749 posts
 

@beernut 

I hate to add another piece of gear right now but for external dacs, what are some good choices to explore that will be an improvement without blowing up my retirement account?

My only experience is with my current Black Ice tube DAC. $900 but with all the jewelry I've got, all-in $2K. NOS tubes were the most significant upgrade.

Maybe look at Schiit? They have a 15 day in-home trial that will cost you 5% + shipping if you don't like it. Bifrost is $799 or the older Yggdrasil+ GS2 $1699 

I recently bought their Skoll phono stage ($400) to use while my GoldNote PH-10 was out for a warranty repair and it was shockingly good considering it replaced a $3K phono. When I was done with it I sold it in 2 days for $300. 

I'm seriously considering auditioning the new Yggdrasil MIB and comparing the Node 130 with the Black Ice / Yggdrasil against the HiFI Rose 150b.

Having said all that, for fun I just tried the Node without my DAC, and it sounded pretty darn good for a $500 component. So either the Node is amazing on it's own for the price OR, using the Node as a streamer-only is my bottleneck.  

 

linnvolk
90 posts
 

I have been running my second system built on a Node 2i for about 3 years. Other components are NAD integrated C 316BEE and Klipsch RP600M speakers. This is my garage (AKA woodshop AKA Garage Mahal) system. It makes me happy every time I turn it on.

Grilles protect speakers from wood dust, and amplifier and Node 2i are on the top shelf of my kitchen pantry just on the other side of the wall from the garage. I drilled through the wall to run the speaker cable.

Control is via Roon on my iPhone.

The Node 2i was the perfect component for this system. 

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