Am thoroughly satisfied with the sound out come here. Bluesound Node 2i. The 2i supports external MQA DAC's, there's a setting in the app to toggle if the external DAC is MQA or not. Price: $549. I am a newbie and beg for your forgiveness if I misstate anything. As to SQ, my guess is that the Pre Box S2 has a better DAC than the Bluesound … If you research here, common consensus is Node 2 shines with an external DAC. Hi-res support: 24-bit/192kHz. Bluesound introduced a new series of network players and looking at them I thought they were pulling my leg for they look identical to the previous models. I have not heard the Node 2i, but my impression, from Bluesound product info, is that sound quality is the same as the Node 2. If you tell them it is ("External MQA DAC = Yes"), they will apparently not unfold the signal and leave that entirely to the external DAC. However, we did a blind test and after switching back and forth 10 times I listened to the dealer who said it sounded a lot better with the DAC. Helped by the inclusion of the natty BluOS operating system – also found on NAD’s M10 streaming amplifier (HFC 451) – there’s a compatible component for pretty … I run a high quality coax to my amp (which has a good onboard DAC) and have compared it to running RCA out of the node and into the Hegel’s analog input. the bluesound node 2 gets used with magnepan and focal … I know several of you do this your help would be appreciated. Could it be the best way to stream Tidal MQA throughout your home? The dealer I purchased my Bluesound Node 2i suggested i connect it by way of Audioquest Carbon digital coax cable to an inexpensive Pro-Ject S2 DAC. Listen to a Bluesound Node 2I with and without an external DAC. Help with external dac for Bluesound Node 2i Sign in to follow this . By leroyd, May 7 in 2 Channel. Keep in mine that most DAC's are not MQA capable, the DAC in the Bluesound devices are. Followers 1. You can use the external MQA DAC to do the final unfold, as the Node 2 WILL now pass a pure unprocessed signal to an external DAC. The Node 2i wireless streamer is part of Bluesound’s multi-room family and is, in our view, the most appealing Bluesound product on offer. I have a Bluesound Node 2i, a Cambridge Audio CXA60 amp with built in DAC, and a Tidal Hifi Subscription. Print view; Search Advanced search. I like the idea of possibly upgrading to the TEAC rather than keeping the Node 2i and adding an external DAC such as the Yggy. Luxmancl38 Forum Resident. The internal DAC is the weakest link of this otherwise a very versatile streamer. And that the Node 2i DAC is better than all the DAC ... bare in mind if you're streaming tidal and are into mqa you'll need to find a compatible mqa dac, if mqa is not a priority then the choice of external dac opens right up. I just received my bluesound node 2i and have a couple of questions. Do a blind test and pick what your ears hear. High-end DAC technology built into every Bluesound Player allows the NODE 2i to decode and stream MQA files in all their … simon g ... suggesting the problem wasn't in the cable or external DAC but in the Node 2i itself. I purchased a Bluesound Node 2i and the dealer sold me an external DAC. With state-of-the-art Bluetooth ® aptX ® HD, the NODE 2i can easily support 24-bit streaming directly from your phone or tablet, as well as transmit studio-quality music to Bluetooth headphones and speakers. One limitation of my setup is that when using the Bluesound Node 2i as my streaming 'source' device, this will only output the signal to an external DAC over either Coaxial or Optical TOSlink. With a cursory glance at the Node 2i’s spec sheet, nothing much appears to have changed between the models to dictate so dramatic an upturn in this generation’s sonic performance. High-end DAC technology built into every Bluesound Player allows the NODE 2i to decode and stream MQA files in all their … If you bypass the internal DAC of the Node 2i by using digital outputs, these rendering stages will not occur causing your MQA content to only be decoded and limited to 96/24. I know people who have tested expensive external dacs with a Bluesound node 2i and they didn't seem convinced there was much difference. Today I unbox and set up the Bluesound Node 2i Hi-Res Music Streamer. Both the Bluesound and Topping D90 are MQA certified, but only via the USB input on the Topping, as far as I can tell and the Node 2i does not have a USB out. How do I connect it to my external dac and can it use USB cable or does it need to be toslink or coaxial. I also just read that BlueSound devices have a setting for whether an external DAC is MQA-capable or not (although I haven't been able to find it on the BluOS app). Old external DAC and MQA… So it appears they cannot be paired together, if I want to experience MQA … Bluesound’s recently updated ecosystem of products has enabled the brand to go from capable contender to a major force in the world of networked audio systems. Can I please ask the community, I am running my Node 2i into my Audiolab M-DAC via a digital coaxial cable and in turn into my Marantz 7005 integrated amp. This is disappointing as I was hoping for a AIO solution for streaming/dac etc. If however you are connecting an external DAC, the maximum output will be 24/96 and MQA processing is not happening in the DAC. ... Ahh, okay. Trust your gut. For an improvement in sound quality I would recommend using a high quality external DAC with the Node … The “improvements” are confined to features like Airplay, Bluetooth output, and upgraded WiFi. The MQA rendering stages which are handled by the Node 2i's DAC are what bring MQA content from 96/24 to 192/24. As the X16 will only do the full decode and render over USB, if I enable MQA external DAC in the Node 2i the file does not get processed by the DAC. Regards, Wesley P. Should you choose to use a external DAC, go with Qobuz as it offers the best SQ, IMHO. Thank you everyone for the information. 7 posts • Page 1 of 1. spf2 Posts: 3 Joined: Thu May 16, 2019 10:31 pm. If all you are trying to achieve is MQA at 192khz via Tidal, I would say keep the TEAC and do what I do which is switch back and forth between Bluesound's DAC and an external DAC as needed. The analogue out of the Node 2i is MQA, by the way. I have read a lot about node 2i/2 I do believe any connections out to a dac only result in 24/96 no mqa unfolding. That said, I went with a Mytek Brooklyn DAC and have not looked back - it is phenomenal, if you can justify the expense. At the moment the Bluesound is connected to the CXA60 via an optical cable, my original thinking being that the DAC in the CXA60 is very well regarded. Of course, I would need a DAC that supports MQA via its coax inout, but I was wondering if the Node 2i will present MQA at its coax output. If you have an external DAC that is certified by MQA, you may bypass Bluesound’s MQA rendering process in the Bluesound NODE 2 or VAULT 2 and send the pure untouched music bits directly via TOSLink Optical or Digital COAX output for processing by your external DAC. With state-of-the-art Bluetooth ® aptX ® HD, the NODE 2i can easily support 24-bit streaming directly from your phone or tablet, as well as transmit studio-quality music to Bluetooth headphones and speakers. I assume I would need to set 'MQA external DAC' to On in the settings, but I want to be sure that the Node 2i will then send the entire MQA signal via the coax output, rather … If you have an external DAC that is certified by MQA, you may bypass Bluesound's MQA rendering process in the Bluesound NODE 2 or VAULT 2 and send the pure untouched music bits directly via TOSLink Optical or Digital COAX output for processing by your external DAC. Are the Bluesound Node 2i analog output ... as far as I'm concerned, but if you want full MQA then you'd have to use an MQA DAC. *First post here and this site is exactly what I have been looking for all of your input is very valuable, Amirm your … I use the topping d10 and geshelli labs enog2 dacs for headphone use w/thxaaa789 and jds labs atom amps. 3. I'll give it another go today but not … Tim 2, Dec 1, 2020 #13. I have a bluesound node 2. also have a topping d10, msb link dac, and geshelli labs enog2 dac. Lounge 2ch: Bluesound Node 2i + Schiit Modius / Audiolab 8300A / KEF R5 Lounge AV: Sony 55XG9505 / Xbox One S / Marantz SR4500 + miniDSP 2x4HD / KEF R2C / KEF T101 / BK XXLS400 Since its launch in 2018, the best streaming DAC Bluesound Node 2i has helped many HiFi enthusiasts to upgrade their existing system in streaming and … And with the ability to output to an external DAC, if you have an MQA HD capable expensive DAC, I dare say you have that option to just use the 2i as a ‘digital transport’. I think the dac in the bluesound node 2 is fine. Post Reply. One limitation of my setup is that when using the Bluesound Node 2i as my streaming 'source' device, this will only output the signal to an external DAC over either Coaxial or Optical TOSlink. Hey team, I've got a question regarding how MQA files are handled via digital coaxial to an MQA Certified external DAC. As the X16 will only do the full decode and render over USB, if I enable MQA external DAC in the Node 2i the file does not get processed by the DAC. i am using tidal and want to take the full advantage of the MQA option with my subscription. I think the DAC used in the Node 2 is pretty good. In my case, I plan on streaming Tidal MQA through the Node 2i and passing the rendering stage of the MQA file onto my Gustard X16 which is an MQA certified renderer via coax. I am starting with a Bluesound Node 2i and based of reviews and forums have learned the internal DAC isn’t all that. UPDATE: I just tried the Node 2i output via digital Coax to an Arcam irDAC-II - all I can say is WOW. Starting from the inside out, the Node 2i takes liberal advantage of all the hard work recently done by Bluesound’s sister company NAD. There a a number threads on this subject of running an external dac from a bluesound with … Old external DAC and MQA. The long list of specifications includes a 32-bit/192kHz DAC, RCA, coaxial, optical and subwoofer outputs, plus physical inputs for optical, analogue and USB-A alongside wi-fi, Bluetooth aptX HD … Hey all - I have a Hegel 80 and just bought a used BlueSound Node 2 (not the 2i). Help with external dac for Bluesound Node 2i. I’ve even switched the inputs mid-song to compare. Free-for-all chat about the Bluesound Ecosystem. Have some MQA tracks within Tidal playlists and they played okay when output to the Jolida so assumed the Node was sorting the Unfold just as it did … Good Afternoon. In my opinion MQA is … He told me the the Pro-Ject, even though it is very inexpensive is better than the DAC inside the Bluesound. However, Bluesound has worked on improving its wireless streamer, and not just in the places you may expect. And don’t get hung up on Tidal (MQA). Plus the fact that the Yggy is looking for balance in/out which the Node 2i doesn’t offer (Or am I misunderstanding) makes me wonder if the $2,500 …