Bluesound Node 2i streamer

[Zoidburg]

I've just bought a bluesound Node 2i streamer and am interested in any discussion on it.

https://www.bluesound.com/products/node/

particularly anything related to set up, getting the best out of it, upgrades etc.

Looking forward to hearing the views of current owners.

I've so far only had a few brief play with it last night but initial impressions are that it sounds better than my previous streaming set up.

cheers


Ben

[Zoidburg]

Sorry Mods can you move this to digital section pls.

cheers

Ben

[StingRay]

I have a Node 2 which I bought about 1 month ago. On another forum quite a few users are buying an interface and then using DC power either with a SMPS or LPS.

I take it you are using the Node DAC? Some recommend using the fixed volume. I'm pretty pleased with it but I use an external DAC.

What are you streaming on it?

[Zoidburg]

Hi mate,

Thanks for the reply, so far I'm v impressed with the node. I'm mainly using spotify with it but I've also got a free trial of amazon hd as well which does sound better but I'm not sure il bother keeping it when the trial is up as I like the convenience of spotify and I've been invested in it a long time now.

I use the dac in the node (with fixed vol) but I guess I should try it through my young dac to see if it improves it. However I was looking to reduce my box count in the long run.

I'd be interest to here more info on power supplies.



Sent from my SM-A715F using Tapatalk

[Alvarado]

As alluded to above, there is a huge (95+ pages) discussion/rant/argument about applying power supplies to the Bluesound Node 2i on the Wam. (Just google it comes up at the top). Some DIYers have found that by spending a couple of hundred quid on Fidelity Audio power supplies and tweaking your Node 2i you can get a big leap in sound quality (or not, depending on your view). The DIY tweak is apparently straightforward and a look at the Fidelity Audio website reveals they are already onto it, releasing a number of products themselves which incorporate the tweak in a new Node 2i. If you can find the result of the argument (ie whether it's worthwhile or not) you're more committed than I am. I read a reasonable proportion of the thread as I have the same interest as you. I need a new streamer and many seem to be pointing to Node 2i, especially with mods, as the best sub-£1000 (or more) option.

[Zoidburg]

As alluded to above, there is a huge (95+ pages) discussion/rant/argument about applying power supplies to the Bluesound Node 2i on the Wam. (Just google it comes up at the top). Some DIYers have found that by spending a couple of hundred quid on Fidelity Audio power supplies and tweaking your Node 2i you can get a big leap in sound quality (or not, depending on your view). The DIY tweak is apparently straightforward and a look at the Fidelity Audio website reveals they are already onto it, releasing a number of products themselves which incorporate the tweak in a new Node 2i. If you can find the result of the argument (ie whether it's worthwhile or not) you're more committed than I am. I read a reasonable proportion of the thread as I have the same interest as you. I need a new streamer and many seem to be pointing to Node 2i, especially with mods, as the best sub-£1000 (or more) option.

I think I've read portions of that same thread and also picked up on the fidelity audio "upgrades". Id probably want to hear a modded one first before doing anything to mine tbh as im very happy with it already. Saying that I read through the DIY board change (to allow for an uprated power supply i think) info and it looks easily enough to do.

[Manicatel]

I reckon it’s a very decent unit. The BluOS app is one of the best out there. The SQ is excellent for the money, & I think you’d have to spend double the price to get another streamer that sounds significantly better.
I’ve never heard any of the mods for it.

[StingRay]

Some people are using the interface with an iFi power supply which are around £50 new. There is an interface made in Poland, which can be bought on ebay for around £90 inc. postage. The FA one is about £135 inc. postage. I think the test on WAM will be using the polish one and will involve about 8 different power supplies.

[camtwister]

I shove the ones and zeros from my Node2i into a Rega DAC.
I use the BluOS app to listen to my Qobuz collection, internet radio and podcasts.
It has replaced a Squeezebox Touch - my first love of the streaming type.
I use the Node for several hours per day - and being teased with appreciable sonic improvement is making me giddy.
It appears that installation of the interface pcb is reversible, so that's some comfort to the unconvinced.
Before I surrender cold cash money, I'm waiting for someone whose opinion I respect to sacrifice themselves and post the outcome here.

[StingRay]

As alluded to above, there is a huge (95+ pages) discussion/rant/argument about applying power supplies to the Bluesound Node 2i on the Wam. (Just google it comes up at the top). Some DIYers have found that by spending a couple of hundred quid on Fidelity Audio power supplies and tweaking your Node 2i you can get a big leap in sound quality (or not, depending on your view). The DIY tweak is apparently straightforward and a look at the Fidelity Audio website reveals they are already onto it, releasing a number of products themselves which incorporate the tweak in a new Node 2i. If you can find the result of the argument (ie whether it's worthwhile or not) you're more committed than I am. I read a reasonable proportion of the thread as I have the same interest as you. I need a new streamer and many seem to be pointing to Node 2i, especially with mods, as the best sub-£1000 (or more) option.

The Fidelity Audio upgrade with LPS is much more than a couple of hundred quid unfortunately, I think the cheapest option is £415. There are cheaper options which I’m considering, which will be around £140.

[StingRay]

I shove the ones and zeros from my Node2i into a Rega DAC.
I use the BluOS app to listen to my Qobuz collection, internet radio and podcasts.
It has replaced a Squeezebox Touch - my first love of the streaming type.
I use the Node for several hours per day - and being teased with appreciable sonic improvement is making me giddy.
It appears that installation of the interface pcb is reversible, so that's some comfort to the unconvinced.
Before I surrender cold cash money, I'm waiting for someone whose opinion I respect to sacrifice themselves and post the outcome here.


The feedback from people who have upgraded has been positive apart from 1. I’m awaiting the outcome of the test. I’m looking at the Polish interface. The manufacturer posts on the WAM forum as well. He is working on a LPS as well.

[camtwister]

I'm curious and potentially in the market if the upgrade costs under £200 and has clearly evident sonic improvement, but not if the outlay is more than the Node itself.
I'm interested to know your evaluation Ray, if you go ahead.

[Alvarado]

The Fidelity Audio upgrade with LPS is much more than a couple of hundred quid unfortunately, I think the cheapest option is £415. There are cheaper options which I’m considering, which will be around £140.

Yes, looking again I see the Fidelity Audio one in thge region of £400, I saw the cheaper prices on the thread and mistakenly applied them more generally.

I also saw the comments from the Polish manufacturer but I thought his product was a power supply. Can anyone explain in words of 2 syllables what is an 'interface'? I thought it was the app? Does the interface 'upgrade' relate to the app? I presume then the eager-to-upgrade punter has a choice of whether to change the interface alone or the power supply?

[Getgaff]

The ‘interface’ is the Node’s internal power supply (nothing to do with the app) and requires an external 5v 2a DC supply. So either a SMPS or LPSU.

[Getgaff]

Replaces the part highlighted in red

https://i.imgur.com/ZzCDnpe.jpg

[camtwister]

Has anyone heard any differences when comparing the Node 2 using WI-FI versus a wired Ethernet connection?

Thanks,
Johnny.

[beermaniac]

In my experience the Node sounds great without the ethernet cable. The sound is cleaner though perhaps not as layered as a wired connection. I prefer it set up wifi at the moment.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[StingRay]

It depends on your WiFi, bluesound recommend splitting your modem if you can, it certainly improved my WiFi speed on my iPad but I don’t think my WiFi is consistent enough for streaming, so use wired. Even with faster speed my iPad struggles on some sites. Others have had problems with WiFi using the Node. I have a BT homehub 6. The only WiFi streaming I have used is Bluetooth but I would not recommend that.

[StingRay]

For anyone who is interested the test on the WAM has been done now. The Sbooster came out very well, so did a cheap chinese LPS, the iFi did not do so well.

The Polish interface is about £85 on ebay, the chinese LPS is about £50 inc. postage, so you are looking at around £135 for this upgrade. The Sbooster are around £300. Other option is Allo Shanti which is about £155.

I'm still undecided which one to buy.

[Adam D]

I have had a Node 2 now for almost 3 years and I have been very happy with it, but I do like tweaking things and trying to extract more sound out of my system.

When I first read the thread on the Wam about pimping the Node 2i, I thought that it just applied to the 2i model and not the 2, but I was wrong.

Back at the beginning of July I pulled the trigger on an Allo Shanti and the Polish interface. I think that I paid £270 together with p&p.

Both items arrived quickly and I was keen to upgrade my Node 2 and hear what effect it had on it.

I am not an electrician, but I found the instructions easy to follow and I remember seeing my Dad change a board on my Schiit Bifrsot before, so I followed a similar process to him.

I found the most difficult thing was removing the multi-pin connector of the power board from the main board. It was very tight and a pair of long nosed pliers came in very handy.

I turned everything on and left it for 30 minutes while I had some food and to let my system and new power supply warm up.

When I came back I listened to my hifi for an hour or so and I was fairly pleased with what I was hearing, but the change wasn't that great.

The second listening session was similar, but there was more of an improvement all the way through from the bass to the treble.

Further listening sessions, and more time for the new components to burn in, have been very positive.

I have found some "tweaks" in the past not to improve everything in equal measures, but this one certainly does.

The bass is now more controlled and I can hear the rythym in some bass lines on songs much easier because it is more defined.

The mids and trebles are also better defined.

There is much better separation between the instruments when listening to music.

Overall I am very happy with my purchase because I like the Bluos App and system and this has given me more of everything,

[steveinspain]

I'm not a big poster on here so doubt my opinion will carry much weight but..
I have a Node 2i with the Fidelity Audio interface and a Sbooster lpsu. Had I known about the Polish interface I'd have bought that as he comes across well, and as someone who might help out if any was needed. I also like the idea of supporting a small business.

I tried the iFi and sent it back as it did nothing I could hear for my system, but the Sbooster brought an immediate improvement, and is worth every penny in my opinion, and in my system.
I have no connection to them, but Fanthorpes hifi offered me a (30 day I think) home trial which not many of the other suppliers would give.