17-Mar-2017, 20:05
I installed the Bluesound node 2 yesterday. There are a couple of things that are easily adaptable but need to be mentioned. 1) Once you are using spark, you need to unplug the replug the Bluesound for optical to work. If you go back into spark, then repeat. Otherwise you get no sound. Also, you will have the same problem if you are using a second optical, this is an easy fix since the node 2 has an optical input. It is an easy switch between Tidal. Optical in, radio, HDD, etc in the app on the ipad. You will need to use the IEEE cable provided, or your own, if you want to stream mqa without any dropouts. It is also much easier if you unplug and need to connect again.
The bluesound app on the ipad is much better than spark. I would just use spark for updates. It is actually a little better than the tidal app, once you get used to it.
Now for the important part, the sound:
The node 2 streaming tidal at "cd" quality sounds slightly better than spark or at least as good. Great, no need for spark except for upgrades!!!
On MQA, it is much better than spark, just as the Imac with optical out was. Same sound quality. Some music is a little better, some is a lot better. 24/96 vs 16/44 is significant on well recorded material!
With the Phantoms we are limited to 24/96 because of the DAC installed. We cannot get full MQA for that reason. 24/96 on a set of golds using bluesound noed 2 is still better sounding than anything I have listened to on the lower side of 50K!!!
The bluesound app on the ipad is much better than spark. I would just use spark for updates. It is actually a little better than the tidal app, once you get used to it.
Now for the important part, the sound:
The node 2 streaming tidal at "cd" quality sounds slightly better than spark or at least as good. Great, no need for spark except for upgrades!!!
On MQA, it is much better than spark, just as the Imac with optical out was. Same sound quality. Some music is a little better, some is a lot better. 24/96 vs 16/44 is significant on well recorded material!
With the Phantoms we are limited to 24/96 because of the DAC installed. We cannot get full MQA for that reason. 24/96 on a set of golds using bluesound noed 2 is still better sounding than anything I have listened to on the lower side of 50K!!!
