Bluesound Node 2i

Looking at this streamer/DAC pretty hard. Anyone have any experience with it?
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Comments

  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,179
    edited January 2019
    I have the Node 2 and love it, and ive heard the 2i is at least marginally better then it’s predecessor. Easy to use, great sound quality at an affordable price. Can’t go wrong
    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    Cool, thanks. Will it read a 2TB HDD (Fat 32) FLAC?
  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,126
    I've only personally seen it in limited demo environments, but all sources say that it is worth the upgrade vs getting the Node 2. I have heard that the Aries Mini is still the preferred solution for the price point, but the 2i is very close and a good alternative as the Aries Mini becomes harder to find.
    Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
    Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
    Discogs
  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,179
    Here is a good article on storage solutions. Invariably setting up a NAS is the recommended solution. I don’t use mine as a network player, as I pretty much exclusively use it for tidal streaming
    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • stangman67
    stangman67 Posts: 2,179
    2 Channel in my home attic/bar/man cave

    2 Channel Focal Kanta 3 I Modwright SWL9.0 Anniversary Pre I Modwright PH9.0X I Modwright KWA-150SE I VPI Prime Signature w/ Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC I Lumin U2 Mini I North Star Designs Intenso DAC I Audience OHNO ICs/Audience Furutech FP-S55N and FP-S032N Power Cables/Acoustic Zen Satori I Isotek Sirius
  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    Great info! Thanks Stang! Seems like it will work as I will keep it plugged in all the time and the HDD has its own power supply.
  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    edited January 2019
    I have a node 2 and love it... Does everything I need it to do and they are constantly updating the UI and software. They listen and respond to their end user forum community The app also works with android which the Aries does not. If the 2i is improved then it is good.
    Post edited by Mikey081057 on
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    Sure arent any deals on em!
  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,126
    deronb1 wrote: »
    Sure arent any deals on em!
    A used one posted today for $400. It was gone in hours.
    Analog: MoFi MasterTracker > MoFi UltraDeck > Sutherland 20/20
    Digital: Cambridge CXC / Streaming > Cambridge CXN v2
    MastersounD Dueventi > Rosso Fiorentino Certaldo or Arcam rHead > Hifiman HE4XX
    Discogs
  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    deronb1 wrote: »
    Sure arent any deals on em!
    A used one posted today for $400. It was gone in hours.

    Im sure it was
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,521
    edited January 2019
    I'll be picking up one later this year. I'll use it "transport" mode with HDD attached.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    steveinaz wrote: »
    I'll be picking up one later this year. I'll use it "transport" mode with HDD attached.

    Thats what I want to use it for as well
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,521
    edited January 2019
    If you get a Western digital with power supply, it'll power up/down automatically with the node---which is a neat feature. I use a WD "My Book" 2TB w/my Oppo.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    Mine is a Rosewell? something like that. Has its own power supply.
  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    Thanks! Im gonna get one. Gotra pay Uncle Sam first tho...sigh.
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,521
    Cool. Let me know how you like the interface.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
  • alucididea
    alucididea Posts: 113
    edited February 2019
    stangman67 wrote: »
    Here is a good article on storage solutions. Invariably setting up a NAS is the recommended solution. I don’t use mine as a network player, as I pretty much exclusively use it for tidal streaming
    I’m about to pickup the new MDC BluOS 2i to use mainly for Tidal and MQA. How do you like the new BluOS 3.2? The last time I auditioned the interface was when version 2 was out. Are there much noticeable improvements?

    I didn’t stick with the old interface because I felt like I had to use the Tidal app to explore new music and then the BLuOS app to actually play. Is this your experience as well?
  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    Here are some impressions for users who have actually heard them...

    https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/how-much-would-i-lose-going-to-a-bluesound-node-2i
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,505
    I use it. I believe it is good for the money.

    Run the coax out to the Emm Labs DAC2x.
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    Hans (not the guy from Die Hard) reviewed it

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIWkeXPjvyw
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    Node 2 arrived today. Nice sounding streamer. A lot of bang for the buck here. Reads my 2TB HDD just fine and have access to all files quickly. Using AQ Golden Gate ICs. Sounds better than dig coax, but havent tried toslink yet. Does a ton of things that ill probably never use, but nice to have available I guess. Now that the 2i is out these should be more available at deep discounts used. Grab one and ya wont be disappointed for the money.
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,521
    Just ordered mine yesterday.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,420
    So does this stream radio stations? Do you use your laptop or smart phone for display? Does it use bluetooth or wifi or both? Buddy of mine is interested in streaming from Pandora or Tidal but not sure how to do it cheaply.
    Gustard X26 Pro DAC
    Belles 21A Pre modded with Mundorf Supreme caps
    B&K M200 Sonata monoblocks refreshed and upgraded
    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)


    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    The node 2 doesnt have Pandora. Not sure if the 2i does
  • deronb1 wrote: »
    The node 2 doesnt have Pandora. Not sure if the 2i does
    BluOS does not support Pandora. (I’ve been using the MDC BluOS 2i for a few weeks.)
  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    Bluesound will allow any Bluetooth enabled smartphone, tablet, or computer to stream music to a Bluesound Player. Now you can stream music from Pandora®, Sirius/XM®, Apple Music®, TDC Play®, and many more services to your Bluesound system. ... The use of other Bluetooth 4.0 adapters may not be fully supported by Bluesound.
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    Any of you guys get this, please do a good review of this unit. I'm seriously considering one but need to know a few things first.

    If it will pull iTunes from a windows PC. Some reviews say it won't, others say it can.

    The App- gets good reviews, others say it stinks. What I need to know is...if you can search in any category, add and subtract to playlists easily, if it crashes constantly or freezes. Support of Napster ? Though I may move to Tidal if their library is deep enough. Q doesn't seem to be very deep in the library judging by the other thread.

    Reviews are fickle, as some don't specify if it's the older node 2 or 2i. It's my understanding the app has also improved from the node2.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    edited February 2019
    The app is the same between all Bluesound players. The app is stable and prompts you to perform updates when needed. Wifi and internet connectivity is the weakest link and that is the same for all network players. The 2i has updated it's WiFi capabilities although I had no issues with the Node or the Node 2.


    I also recommend using it with Roon in order to simplify bringing all of your online music services and stored music libraries. Roon will also allow "like" devices to have a multiroom experience... Airplay syncs with Airplay... bluetooth devices with bluetooth etc...Roon is simply the best audio related software I have ever seen or used and makes it all simple after a brief but easy ramp up. Roon offers a 2 week free trial.

    Apparently there was an issue sharing itunes to Bluesound... It appears to have been resolved. I believe that the Node2i also supports Airplay2 reliably now although I never use it. I do have some Airplay devices that I have used on my network and since they are "like" devices they can be joined thru ROON

    https://support.bluos.net/hc/en-us/articles/360000199908-What-Music-Services-does-BluOS-Support-


    https://roonlabs.com/howroonworks.html
    My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160

    Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |

    ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4

    Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |

    Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |

    Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |

    Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's

    Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's |
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,902
    Mikey,
    What do you mean by weakest link ? Wifi drop outs ? Never had a problem with drop outs from my Sonos so I dunno if we can say it's relative to all network players.

    If that's the case, being prone to drop outs, that would put it off the list for me.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's