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Bluesound Node Icon

I currently use Bluesound products because of their multiroom capabilities. 

In my main system I have a bluesound node N130 hooked up to a Mcintosh D1100 preamp dac.

Thinking about buying the new Node Icon but I would be by-passing the built in dual dacs so I am not sure if there is any reason to upgrade to the ICON?

If anyone knows the new ICON and can give me some advice I would appreciate it.

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oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,882 posts
 

That's good to hear about the Icon being so good.   I had a feeling it would  be a decent package

macg19
937 posts
 

I'm in a similar boat, N130, external DAC, easy decision to stay with N130.

I added the LHY LPS and DH Labs USB and ethernet cables, as well as SmoothLan from Stack Audio. Sounds great, no intention of upgrading anytime soon.

Reference is an analogue source at more than 10X the cost. 

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efoo OP
96 posts
 

Moonwatcher - How did you determine there is a better power supply in the icon?

 

ancient_tones
13 posts
 

To my ears it is obvious that the Node Icon is a better streamer than the Node 2i. This is using a Denafrips Pontus 12th as a DAC. It was obvious immediately for me. The DAC in the Icon is pretty good too. It is close to being the overall quality level as the Pontus. So far it's more of a flavor thing with the two DACs. I just did hook the Pontus up to the Icon. It's different but does not blow away the Icon using it's own DAC. I've only used a Node 2i as a streamer so I can't compare the Icon to other brands of streamers.

rwmiler's avatar
rwmiler
4 posts
 

Ancient tones

How would you describe the difference between the Pontus dac and the Icon?

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