The Bluesound Node Gen 3 Music Streamer QUICK REVIEW!
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
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Today I have a quick one and it's all about the Bluesound Node GEN 3 and why it is my most recommend digital music streamer.
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I‘ve combined the Node130 with a Denafrips Pontus II via USB - a match in heaven. The internal DAC falls short in comparison by a lot. But as a streamer it is so great a device
Upgrade Node with external LPS into external DAC and its better than Lumin and its app imo. Transparency, resolution and imaging greatly increased. Love the Node!
Are use the node Gen 3 with my music files on a big zip drive connected via the digital audio output to a dac/headphone amplifier for headphone listening. I love it!
I run an SBooster LPS and PD Creative power supply. It’s been bullet proof.
I use teddy pardo linear power supply. My issue with node is Roon USB out has pops , and they have not fixed it for over 1.5 years. Hopefully with gen3 they have new version of Software.
wrote a similar comment before, its great. im using the pd creative lps board and externa smpsu. are you running it with a linear power supply?
Thanks for sharing. I am just considering streaming at the moment. I am 67 and old school and still prefer using my physical media for music playing. But, I am always open to options. Cheers
Wiim Mini is also a steal tho if you want a more minimal setup!
I would upgrade to the Node only if I truly needed the HDMI (and maybe the convenience of the trigger out)
The Wiim mini out to your favourite DAC ! Unbeatable!
@@johnpischedda6951 amen! 🙏🏻
I've got three WiiM Minis. Just wish they had a USB out though. I was hoping for that on the Pro. I could still see myself buying a Node to get USB and even more importantly, the sub-woofer output to make adding a sub much easier with far less cables than otherwise necessary using my vintage Carver preamp.
@@rosswarren436 Beware with the node sub out. It's convenient only if you plan to adjust the sound via the Node (you have to use the node's dac for that). In any other case, that would separate the sub volume control from the speakers volume control.
@@alex.j87 ah, I was afraid of that. So, it would mainly be useful for streaming only, and only if I used the internal DAC of the Node. And if I bypassed the internal DAC of the Node and used an external DAC I'd be faced with using two volume controls, the one on the Node (for the subwoofer) and the one on my preamp for my two main speakers. Not very convenient. Rats.
I may have to look to a subwoofer that can accept line level or speaker level signals and feed them from my preamp or amp.
Not looking forward to the snake's den of cables though to do that. Thanks for the heads up!
The Wiim Pro with it's excellent U.I. and a Geshelli Labs J2 DAC is cheaper and sounds better than the Node.
Have you compared the two? I also have a J2 and a Wiim.
I'm waiting on the J2 , I asked Geno to send it to Bill at purity audio design, he's building my first tube pre amp with the same wood as the j2.
Love my Node, some day will save up and get a better DAC and use it as a Streamer only. But the DAC is just fine as my system grows.
It's funny I have five DACs all at different prices, but I keep going back to the node with it own output.
@@r423sdex what’s the cost of your most expensive one you have? I heard somewhere to get better performance out of an external DAC you would have to spend at least twice the cost of the Node
I think for most sub $20K systems the Node is fine. In more resolving systems not so fine as every gear change to the digital source chain in a 1st class system can be heard easily. BTW in the Lumin universe the sonic difference between the U1/2 mini and the big brother U1 is HUGE, was maybe one of the biggest sonic gains I've ever experienced in my system.
The node is more resolving than 99% of amplifiers. Let's not get started on speakers.
Wiim pro is a fantastic streamer , the built in dac isn’t up to par . However that isn’t a deal breaker as I’ve hooked up to my out board dac it sounds blinking fantastic.
It sounds the same as the bluesound node. Or any other streamer ! It's bit perfect.
How about a review on the Node X? The new X has some very cool improvements.
I've got the bluesound. Its great for strearming...its better if you're using a better DAC. The BlueOS app is a bit rough still in terms of general functionality.
still better software then most, what softwere have you used that is better in terms of use and funktionalitet?
What defines a better dac ?
Don't get the point: this is your number 1 reccomendation, but just a couple of weeks later you review the eversolo as the best one (and using it since 3 months already) .. so I'm confused
He likely gets paid to promote this stuff. So whatever way the wind blows is 'best'
The streamer lives or dies by its app. The Bluesound app is fab and I'd get any streamer that runs this app.
Nice review what dac would you recommend
The Wiim Pro might have this one beat and at $150 but no hdmi.
is there a version without the built in dac?
No
you can turn it off and run it to a better DAC/preamp..
I have the 1st gen of the Node and I am happy enough using it with an external DAC. BUT what I don't understand is the raving about the Bluesound OS - I find it sluggish and buggy when using Tidal Connect. TC will soon loose its connection to the Node and I need to switch to the Bluesound OS until Tidal reconnects. it's quite annoying.
Is this problem fixes with the new generation?
If you’re using the node via usb into a dac for roon, buyers beware. There’s a strange noise/crackling if you use the usb into dac via wifi. Bluesound isn’t fixing it and blames roon, hence no fixes on the horizon.
BlueSound Node is by far the easiest no muss no fuss streamer. By comparison until recently my Innuous Zenith mk3’s OS was so completely convoluted and ridiculous, it just sat on a shelf despite it having better playback resolution. Now Innuous has a dedicated app but I was so disgusted with my prior experience, it may be a while longer before it becomes a part of my system again.
thank u sir i needed this
Can you connect the node directly to a amp and still control the volume and so forth?
Does it serve as a preamp / variable out?
Yep can be used as either a preamp or fixed level, you change it through the ap
Don’t use it as a preamp for volume control, digital volume control in node severely limits dynamics !
You seem to know your stuff. Maybe you could help with this: If I don't use streaming services but I would like to send audio from my Apple computer to my McIntosh 1700. Id there a way to do that, at Node quality, but w/o all the frills of streaming?
Hello can this unit provide multi room capabilities
Hi there thanks for the recommendation! I'd like to know if it has MQA unfolding for TIDAL as its my main digital listening for streaming
Yes
yes indeed it does
Tidal is thankfully dumping MQA As MQA has gone bust.
What about volume - can I control volume using the Node instead of my amplifier? Or I still need to control my amplifier to volume up / down?
Yes. You can get the SONOS remote (~$50.00) to control the volume level out of the SONOS audio output jacks (you can still also use the volume control/remote of your amp).
PS -- meant BlueSound not sonos.
I used the node 2i as a preamp to control the volume but I had an old preamp so I tried to connect the node and use the preamp for volume control, everything improved and specially at low level listening, way more dynamic. Digital volume control severely limits dynamics !
Yes it has variable volume option, but purist prefer to use amplifier or pe-amp volume to enjoy highest dynamic range.
So is that 60’s inspired mellow background music playing in the background - Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass by chance?
If feelings could kill - Trio Leo
@@martynanstis1620 - Thanks 👍
Hi, my name is Andy from Chicago Love your videos thank you so much ! I was wondering if you have ever heard the Cambridge cxn v2 streamer? It’s about $1000 which is my budget at the moment and you get the album art. I would appreciate your opinion. Thank you so much again !!!
Can it do USB out to a Roon endpoint? Lots of issues with previous versions - promised this functionality but never fixed it.
i have a 2i linked to a Denafrips Pontus 2. not sure if the addition of a USB output would make a difference. now if it only had a i2s i would upgrade.
If you're running Roon, look at the Pi2design Mercury V2. It's excellent.
Hello, I stream off my receiver Yamaha 2.1 stereo only any way what just got dac only or they don’t come that way
Just curious if you have experimented with different power cables and coaxial cables on your node? I have herd people having great success swamping these out for higher quality. I’m thinking of buying Audioquest Carbon coaxial. And Audioquest NRG y2 power cable
I have tried, Noticed nothing with the power cord swap to a Nordost purple. Coaxial cables can make a slight difference but it's not huge. I. have had amazing differences using analog IC's and some power cables on some gear but with the Node, I didn't notice much difference,
With a single USB connection, how can i connect to an external DAC via USB and connect a USB drive that contains all my music? Is it one or the other?
What model is the gen3?
N130
Ha! I have that same coffee maker. It's the best!
3Most of my music is on an external drive. I currently use a Squeezebox Touch.
Does the Bluesound work in a simiilar way?
How is this compared to Ifi streamer? Thanks
The ifi, I owned and sent back. Incredibly unstable and buggy OS. I went with the Mercury v2 and loaded RoPieeeXL on it and am not looking back. I believe it sounds better than the ifi, and it works.
Can I stream from my Amazon Music app with the Bluesound Node?
For Higher tiered or resolving systems, the Node does not cut it. An Aurender N200 network transport is much better and in a shoot out destroys the Bluesound Node. I personally have their N20, but my system is well over $70k.
If it worth getting the Bluesound Vault 2i instead to rip all your CD collection? Have you ripped your CDs or you still play them on your CD player or do you just only stream these days?
if i stream hd/ultra hd from my phone or laptop and my music service via bluebooth to my receiver, what do i need to pair to a 2012 marantz or otherwise that does not have bluetooth built-in? You can find bluetooth devices for this purpose for $40... so how does a $600 unit like this compare? (Not being facetious)
Do you think this would be better than my laptop and external dac?
Can the Gen 3 output 192khz via the USB out? I have one coming this week to replace my 2i
Yeah buddy! I forget mine is even there and that’s the point.
Is one of your dogs a black Brussels Griffon? I have a tricolor
Can you connect this to a vintage amplifier?
As long as it has RCA inputs. Sure, and most should!
I just connected one to my Sansui G-6700 today and it sounds fantastic!
Why are you not telling people people that they can use their computer, smartphone and a DAC?
IEAST AUDIOCAST PRO M50 Streamer ES9023 WiFi DLNA AirPlay Bluetooth 5.0 24bit 192kHz
I've had nothing but problems with mind. It never stays connected and I have a solid network and system.
Has it also got internet radio like my Squeezebox?
Ya it has
Paradise radio and
Tune in radio
Hello, is this compatable with Apple Music?
Via airplay only.
Thanks, but which streamer *WITHOUT A DAC INSIDE* do you recommand ?
Depending upon your system, the Pi2 Mercury V2 streamer is incredible, but pricey. Best thing about the Mercury, is that you can load just about any Pi OS on it that you want to. I have RoPieeeXL loaded on mine, and it is rock solid and has played everything I can throw at it, natively via a hard wired network.
Mano ultra mkiii
@@michaelwright1602 I dont see Wi-Fi on it...
@@reptidan No USB output...
@@regisvoiclair It has wifi.
No support for CZcams music is a bummer 😞
Wiim Pro? Half the price
A WiiM mini/pro or even a Raspberry Pi (volumio) with a 5v Chinese linear power supply is far far far better than Bluesound Node's any version period.
Depends on your amp. My mcintosh sounds horrible with wiim
Is this a review of the NODE which is the name of the newest updated model.
I’m wandering that too. I know there was 2.
3rd Gen is now called Node - they also have now release a Node X (limited edition)
How does this compare to the new limited edition (node X) that just came out ? Is it worth the upgrade from the 3rd Gen model for the new DAC ?
Hey man you could be Gandhi
Wiim just won the battle over every other competitors. No reason to consider anything else unless it's for look.
Who says that?
@@13thnotehifireviews7 clearly I said that.
@@jianhuang0124 why though?
How can a streamer into an external dac sound different ?. I have 4 different streamers at different prices, the cheapest wiim mini sounds the same as all the others. If it is bit perfect, no way it will sound different.
There is an internal DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) in most streamers, computers, mobile phone, CD players etc. The quality of the DAC has a huge impact on the output. Using an external DAC bypasses the internal DAC and takes away the conversion work from the internal unit. As an example, if you are using a Mac-mini to stream music the output of the internal DAC is the 1/8" headphone output which includes very cheap components that effect the audio quality. You can use the USB output into an external DAC and get much higher quality, depending on your choice of DAC.
Wow, this is so thin in actual user information. Not much of a review.
How does it comare to a real live show?
Led Zeppelin no longer perform 🤷🏻
Just knowing that your cat and dogs hear better than you do means at least they can appreciate everything you buy for your system. LOL.
I wouldn't buy another Bluesound product. I have purchased 4 Bluenode 2i in the past 3 years. To date 2 out of the 4 have locked up during one of the forced updates to the units. I say forced because the only options they give you is "Get it now" or "Delay 24 Hours". Sometimes when they lock up during the upgrade process they can be revived with various convoluted procedures. The 2 failed players I have cannot be revived after multiple lock-ups during several forced updates. It's a very unreliable product. Also they cannot be repaired so they become junk when they lock up!
Never had a problem with the 2i that unplugging didn't fix, and that was usually a network connection issue.
@@PaulClay46masonWV There is a known issue with the power supply caps that you can google if interested.
@@PaulClay46masonWV I won't deal with this company again seeing how they ghosted all those that had power supply failure, total lack of support.
Fire stick and plex will stream anything. I still don't get the reason for this and I have it.
I don't understand all the hype about Node products (nor LS50, for example).
Node is a really bad product.
In what way? The Blue O/S is extremely easy to use and well thought out. What other $600 streamer/DAC would you recommend? I do agree with you on the LS50, unless they are used as a desktop, near field speaker. They really need a sub to do well and have decent dynamics in a medium sized room. Yes, they have great clarity, but for the price, other speakers offer much more. Fortunately, you can get them (the LS50) easy on the used market if so inclined.
@@rosswarren436 Dynamically it is lost, and timbral correctness is nonexistent.
Of course, some people don't know how instruments sound.
In that budget, probably some iFi. I don't want to be unpolite, but Nodes are just crap.
@@danijel-c many would use them as a streamer (to get the benefit and ease of use of Blue O/S) to feed an external DAC.
@@rosswarren436 Even digital output is lousy. I tried it with AMR DP 777 Signature. Overhyped product worth nothing.
@@danijel-c what streamer did you buy?