@wgosma: Opinions vary on the efficacy of aftermarket power cords. So I'm thinking of buying my first streamer. There is a thread talking about how it re-indexes and that it takes a whileI got the impression it will workbut was not really designed to do this. I love my Vault though. In equal power mode, you'll hear these differences in loudness as they naturally occur between speakers. Qobuz skipping files. Audioquest said they dont do that size but on their product sheet they state they do, Ive checked all over the internet and found some odd shops that do, but are too far for Germany. The OP was interested in the Node, not the Vault. Just forget about indexing or playing a large HDD library. Anyone have hands on with both? Personaly I'm not interested in other functionality like dac and pre amp. The only oversight I can see is not including HDMI arc. I guess really my question is which sounds better (if we discount the internal dacs) or are they going to be pretty much the same. This raises the question of what you mean by dipping your toe in - what do you want to find out? The other possible route is to put a PSU on the NDX2 such as an XPS. I had the Yamaha wxa50 before. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. That's interested @rvpiano. Some great advice above, I started a thread covering my own thought processes around streaming options with Naim kit. Sorry, I meant ND5-XS2 and NDX2 not NDS2 and NDX2 Along with the streaming capabilities, which is the best for playing files from a hard drive. Use Airplay for Qobuz to CA servers. Bluesound Node (New) So it's not the Connect app anymore but one called Stream Magic? It offers Roon Ready and Spotify Connect but no Chromecast Built-in. Reviving this old topic as I am looking at both of these streaming devices and cant quite make a decision. I am mostly concerned with SQ on the digital outputs. A lot of good advice on this site. For the money I doubt theres anything else out there to beat it until you start spending Naim or similar entry level price points. Has both digital and analog outputs, SQ is likely superb and available at a small fraction of their top of the line products, and resale value, however limited, is likely high among competing products. Our Advisors have listened to most of the speakers we carry, and can help you make the best choice for your system. I found the Bluesound Node 2 to sound a lot better than the CCA through a cheap Schiit Dac. Ive also hooked it up to my integrated amp and it works great as well. I have my ipad pro connected to my dac/amp via usb c , everything sounds nice. Focus on speakers/room where a much more substantive change is possible. Hi, looking for some advice please. Thats sort of the point of external USB DACs. I have not tried the cxn v2 , but the node2i DAC was ok when I tried. BlueOS is quite intuitive. 1) Bluesound to CXA via RCA. 390. I have the Cambridge and really like it, but I have no experience with the bluesound. The Node can be impressive and always seems to be compatible with every streaming service around. Others? Cambridge Audio/Music Direct - CXN v2 Network Player Network Player on Sale for $725 Awesome deal on this unit! Yeah I want to get full resolution from what files and services I'm using so that's a con on the Cambridge. Cambridge CXN v2 (New). It does that both analog out and digital out, - and with AirPlay . Wi-Fi speakers are the building blocks for wireless multi-room audio systems from Sonos, Bose, and other brands. So the cambridge gets rave reviews but It would be a struggle finding room in my existing CD6006 and Marantz Pearl Lite set up. What is the difference between 'dark' and 'warm'? With this limited intention I am not bothered that it doesnt match my other sources, although its very listenable. Find out what gear you need to hear Qobuz at its best. I think that perhaps my options are likely to be focussed on the Node or maybe the iFi Zen streamer (?). 1 Home Entertainment Tech Resource. Bryston BDP pi on here. This has been a fantastic experience. USB-C on iPada makes the a legit streamer option IMO. In an actual listening room, you'd find that some speakers play louder than others when fed the same amount of power. I first streamed digital files attached to my network computer thinking the USB was only good for smaller capacity flash drives. Thank you djones. Taking into consideration Chris comment above about the Naim streamers limitations, out of the two remaining options I would recommend the Bluesound Node.The latest version is a great streamer for toe dipping and the app is a dream. Thank you! I need to replace my modded Sonos connect with a new streamer. JavaScript is disabled. The CXN 2 sounds better. Which is by no means guaranteed with Android (and possibly Apple- but check the threads on here about that) devices. Best streamer for Qobuz? Details -$300.00 Price break. Panasonic 55FZ950. /Stageline I have only used it for streaming from Apple Music with the intention of hearing new music which I might then buy in physical form. Oh, apart from the RCA to DIN, where I have a Chord Crimson and a Chord Chrysalis (iirc?). They're always very helpful! Thank you for the replies everyone. For Tech Support, call The No. Through Id never pay such ridiculous prices for cables, but because I cant find support on whether a 3m cable is gonna lose me quality, it makes me now dependent spending more money in hopes to accomplish a good signal, Too many DACs> Too many amps> Too many headphones. Hopefully this will be fixed with a future Firmware update, but at the moment it's an issue. I am looking forwarding to attaching one of my external hard drives to it for playback of lossless vinyl rips while I work. Another vote for the Blusound here, like you I was curious and dipping my toes, auditioned a Node 2i and it stayed. The pluses for the CXN2 is good sound quality, overall feel (no plastic), a more powerful processor, and physical controls. AVForums.com is owned and operated by M2N Limited, CXN's DAC is definitely better than Node. affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network, and But also I really need to know if the signal from the tablet or phone is untouched. Hm, lets see what others have to say, but i think any random long usb a to b (there were plenty because of the printers) + an adapter to whatever usb you need should be more than fine. My entry into streaming was an cxnv2. It is similar in terms of inputs and versatility, packed in a classy looking black or white box with a single LED and somewhat useless controls on the top. (Not sure if I can get the correct interconnect for my toe though!). Im passed this point of temptation for now, but Ive decided Ill just buy it either next year or if there is a great deal. Nothing comes close. The Bluesound is also half the price of the Cambridge piece. Cambridge Audio's popular Connect iOS and Android app, compatible with the CXN (V2) and the company's other network audio streamers, has been given a major feature overhaul and rebrand. So far, so good! Cambridge DacMagic vs Cambridge CXN v2 /v3, cambridge streamer cxn v2 USB tracklist error, issue with ECI-2, CXN v2 and external 2.5" HDD, Amplifiers, Phono preamp, and Analog Audio Review, Streamer/Dac Suggestions For AE1 Active's. No complaint about the Cambridge app. Messages: 2,061 . Dave's made his daily life so much more convenient by installing Smart Home devices. JL audio E-sub e110 . Have you tried plugging a hard drive into the Node 2i? The iPad Pro making the switch to USB-C means now is the perfect time to look at how it all works and why it matters when it comes to the sounds of your life. Chromecast is not an option as I cant stand non-gapless, although having chromecast would be a plus for using things like SoundCloud. Also the means and ways of interacting with the CXN and its 'switchability' in always . With the Node 2i connected to my LAN by ethernet, performance is seamless. Every review I saw raves about the sound quality on the CXN-(V2). It may have to do with if the hard drive is removed and then attached againI will find it eventually. I stand correctedthe Cambridge does indeed have the Wolfson DAC, question regarding the need for external DAC above?. It may not display this or other websites correctly. My guess is, very few have listened carefully to both, so it's going to be difficult to get this specific feedback. It seems as the CXN uses dual DACS and has balanced outs. It includes a pair of studio-quality headphones, and a guide to getting the most out of your session, and a few other necessary items. No dealers near me carry it. I prefer Audiolab over Bluesound Node 2i. I also have, from some years ago, a Pro-Ject RPM and a Pro-Ject phono pre, with USB on board that I got with the idea of rippping some vinyl to CD, but never did much, in the end! On March 6, 2020 By hifitr5_wp There are a couple of budget (around $500) Audiophile Music Streamers I recommend. Yes, I agree! Make sure its MIDI compatible and youll be good to go. Have you checked the review index? And as i sold it during first lockdown, sold it for 150 more than I paid. Been down this road; if you're using the Yamaha DAC and want plug/play convenience, easy to use interface with self updating software, very good customer support, excellent resale, and access to EVERY source known to man just get the Node or used Node 2i and be done with it. Discussion in 'PCs & Music Servers' started by centralflori, Jul 3, 2021. We still believe that the gold standard for auditioning speakers is hearing them in your own environment thats why we offer a 60-day money-back guarantee. Shop smart & save time when you connect with an advisor, Your advisor will be able to share relevant pages and add items to your cart, Please turn active noise cancelling off for best results, Streaming music player with built-in Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth, Network audio streamer with Wi-Fi, Chromecast built-in, Apple AirPlay 2, and optional Bluetooth, Streaming music player for amplified components and speakers. So the cambridge gets rave reviews but It would be a struggle finding room in my existing CD6006 and Marantz Pearl Lite set up. If I am using an outboard DAC then is there much difference in SQ between these two streamers? However its several years old and Im wondering if a new version will be out soon with improved functionality, MQA support most likely. In other states where we don't collect sales tax, it may be the customer's responsibility to assure that all appropriate state use taxes are paid. The NAD C399 has higher output and also the possibility of upgrading and having room correction. Mac Mini? When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, Ive been looking at Audioquest cables, and Im think about 2 or 3 meter, and I guess a 2 meter is going to be better for sound than 3, but ideally 3 would be great. Sony A95L QD-OLED, X95L MINI LED And Full BRAVIA Range For 2023 (In-Depth Interview). A network music streamer lets you play digital music from different sources, and play them through connected speakers and devices in your home. Marantz BD8006, Bluesound Node 2021, Marantz Pearl Lite, Revel Concerta2 M16, Sony XZ Premium, LGV30. The improved NDX2 closes the gap somewhat but for me the NDAC is still an upgrade, and at used prices, a pretty cheap one. I have been recently trying to confirm my understanding of the ascending order of things! It may not display this or other websites correctly. The CXN V2 is older but likely to have better sound quality. A quality USB-C to USB-B cable from Amazon or Monoprice will got the job done. Now changing the amp to Acoustic Portrait Swara v2 integrated amp. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . So I'm biased there and also multi-room can get expensive. Copyright 1996-2023, Crutchfield New Media, LLC. You dont have to spend a lot of money to get a decent stereo system. Possibility of dropouts on Tidal in particular due to the small buffer. Itll work with you iPad or out of your Windows laptop. So I decided on getting a cable, and I wanted a mid-range quality cable, so decided on the usb b>c and spends days looking for this cable to find out that they dont do that size? It is half the price of the Cambridge and has a much better user interface with BluOS. Any thoughts on which would be the best idea from the following choices? So I know if I get a streamer and hook-up a hard drive to my files then I know Ill get clean source if I bypass the streamers DAC, however what Im trying to find out, is that if I skip the streamer and directly go from USB-B on the A-S801, through an appropriate cable, and straight into a tablet or phone, HOW to bypass the internal processing of the tablet or phone, so it can send a direct signal to the cable and onto my A-S801. The main issues with the 1st gen models include: That's weird. IMO any unit that does not have an MQA decoder will be effectively obsolete within 2 years. Any thoughts on which would be the best idea from the following choices? To help you choose the right speakers, we recommend using Crutchfields SpeakerCompare Listening Kit. The Bluesound Node 2 comes with an MQA decoder.. Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group, which make up 75% of the recorded music industry, have committed to MQA. I do use an external Meridian DAC (which I had already owned) and the difference between the two DACs is very subtle. Given all the choices of streaming services, it usually comes down to one or two you really like to keep around. Other than that, I would like to use Airplay (1). Hence the post! and you got the option to use an external dac. Thanks for the update, consider adding this to your profile. I would prefer to have a streamer that connects to my existing pre, rather that one that replaces the pre, at these price ranges, as I havea long term plans to keep going up the Naim pre/power ladder.