You didn’t mention your budget but Innuos ticks off all of the boxes you noted. I bought a used Zen Mk3 for $1800 US and it was an improvement over using my Node N130 as a streamer. I can also rip discs to its 1TB storage. I liked the BluOs app but I’m enjoying The Sense app that Innuos has even more to stream Qobuz.
Bluesound Node130 LPS upgrade...
Was wondering if upgrading my BSNode with an aftermarket LPS improves the sound if I'm using an external DAC via usb-A to B cable, not bluesound's Dac? I understand the claims that an LPS audibly improves the noise floor, soundstage, etc, but is it while using the internal BS dac only? Appreciate your help!
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I’m chiming in late to this 10-month old thread and offering my experience here in hopes of helping anyone else considering an LPS upgrade to his Node. I’ve owned my Node N130 for two years and mostly used it for streaming background music, leaving my more serious listening to my really nice analog TT rig. But in the Spring of this year I got the bug to improve my streaming setup, as I had been reading how good streaming has become. I was prepared to move beyond the Node and go separate Streamer and DAC, but I really liked reliability and ease of operation of the Node. And, it was wireless, which solved a functionality challenge of streaming in our extended/renovated home. I did buy a used DAC in April as my first step. Here is my current setup: Spectrum 1G Coax service/ Arris Surfboard Modem/ASUS Zen Mesh Router Wirelessly Stream to Bluesound Node N130 Teddy Pardo Limited Edition Linear Power Supply Modification to Node N130 Triode Wire Labs Digital American 2 Power Cable Weiss 501 DAC WireWorld Platinum Starlight 8 USB from Node to Weiss 501 DAC Stack Audio AUVA EQ Component Isolators under DAC Now, I am also running a very good preamp with this setup, and the rest of my system is quite good, full and revealing. But, let me just say.......WOW. This is really, really good. It’s definitely not quite as good as my analog rig, but it’s in the neighborhood. Suffice it to say, I do not feel a want or need for anything more from my streaming rig- it has everything I need. This is certainly not an inexpensive way to obtain good streaming results, but it shows just how good this Node N130 is when used as a streamer-only. Thanks to rick_n , macg19 and knownothing for their posts/observations which gave me confidence to pursue this path. I could go on for pages noting my detailed observations, but I’ll spare folks the lengthy commentary. This streaming setup has everything for me: proper balance, timbre, detailed imaging, soundstage, microdynamics, really good depth, etc. I listen mostly to well-recorded Jazz and Classical. Hope this helps someone. |
@rtilden You should get a Wi-Fi extender or Mesh system and run a decent Ethernet cable from that to your Node. It’s not all that expensive, and it bypasses the Node’s Wi-Fi receiver and many find this provides a meaningful improvement. Glad you’re enjoying your streaming more! |
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