Bluesound Node X - King of the hill, or past its prime? Let's discuss!
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- Опубліковано 30 лип 2024
- #audiophile #bluesound #streaming
Without doubt this is the best Bluesound Node so far and a great bit of kit if you use all of it's functions!
If you just want a streamer, a headphone amp, or just need a dac, there might be better options for you - but this is a top all rounder for sure!
Hope you enjoy :-)
Tested with:
Luxman 595ase
Hypex Nilai DIY Stereo Amplifier
Dynaudio Heritage Special
B&W 805D4
Marten Duke 2
Luxman D10x
Atlas Superior Power Cables
Audioquest K2 Speaker Cables
High Fidelity RCA Interconnects
Zavfino Fusion MkII XLR Interconnect
Gothic Audio Nublu Silver Cryo RCA & XLR
Lessloss C-Marc XLR
KEF KC62 Subwoofer - Розваги
I was thinking about adding the Node X as another digital input to connect my Apple TV & subwoofer for movie watching. Keeping my audio only separate using the same amp and speakers..
Timely review for me. My older daughter just moved into her first flatshare and is making overtures for me to 'sponsor' a system for her so I was looking at AE1 Active speakers and a streamer/dac -and this gives me another option to hum and haw over!
BTW that was the perfect pronunciation of 'metallurgy'...if you're from Steel Town, Pennsylvania ;)
Haha true, should sound like - Met-al-a-gy (according to Google…didn’t just look that up honest)
I've used a slew of streamers, ending up with an Innuos Pulse Mini in one system and a WiiM Mini / SMSL SU-1 in another system.
Exchanged my NODE with the Innuos. Soundwise, NODE can't hold a candle to the Innuos. But, functionality is definitely on NODE's side, and I miss that with the Innuos.
As to WiiM... I will just say that I'm still impressed how good it sounds with the SU-1. And it's a sub-200€ combo!
It’s interesting how the hype of the Eversolo is starting to fade. Quite a few more recent reviews have said the DAC is good, probably equivalent to a standalone costing £300-400, but in no way a giant killer that the early reviews implied.
Another honest and accurate review. 👍👍
Found the Node X to be a decent improvement over the NODE as a streaming DAC. Not huge but it’s very noticeable.
However the headphone output has nothing to shout about despite being THX rated. Kinda disappointing. But it does the job. Was using it with my HiFiMan Arya Stealth
It’s still a great value for money unit.
ps the EverSolo has a bit more clarity and detail. Just a bit more only.
Good review, new to streaming the music server I use is Apple Music and I’m happy with cd quality sound which would you recommend bluenode or Wiim pro? Don’t require this for home theatre option.
Past its prime.
I prefer the Eversolo DMP-A6 which can play Apple Music lossless natively, and can be upgraded to a LPS.
I use a Wiim Pro with a Mojo 2. Also use a Wiim Mini with an SMSL SU-1.
Both top options!
Was denken sie wäre der Node x eine Verbesserung zu meinem Alten Vault 2? Ich höre eigentlich nie über die integrierte Festplatte also kann es auch ein Streamer ohne Festplatte sein. Oder würde ein neuer Vault 2i vom Klang beim Streamen besser klingen als ein Node X?
Pretty interesting review and I was wondering when you might mention the Wiim Pro and Wiim Pro+ as earlier you had made mentions of only the WiiM Mini. Then you did and I thought that was a fair comment versus the Node X.
Currently running a WiiM Pro into an RME ADI-2. It's fantastic in my system.
Great combo, love the flexibility of the RME, it’s got a nice display too!
How do the color blind get on with the Mojo colored buttons? :) I did think the PD Creative Linear Power Supply adapter for my BS Node was a worthwhile addition.
Lol good question!
I personally hardly ever change the settings on mine. If I’m tweaking it’s more often just the volume slightly up or down, so the colours are irrelevant in that case. But I can appreciate it’s not ideal.
The same way they distinguish colors at the red light, picking berries,dressing, eating food, everything they do in life, etc.etc. 🤣🤣 There are very few color blind in reality who would be foolish enough to buy the Mojo or anything with lots of colors, KNOWING their eyes condition, don’t you think? If they do then they really aren’t color blind or a very very stupid person..
For a long time color blindness was a bar to being a police officer however, standards have changed and my colorblind nephew has been in that capacity for 12 years. I suppose the old objection would relate to identification of suspects based on the color of clothes, eyes, hair etc. Things change.@@SmallRoomAudio
Have you noticed any latency when using the optical in with the Xbox? Are you into slower content likes RPGs, or fast paced FPSs? Great review btw.
Thank you 👍 😃 I’m rubbish at FPS, my reactions aren’t what they used to be! I’m largely playing Jedi Survivor at the moment, and no latency noticed as yet, although I did make sure the Xbox was on stereo uncompressed as Dolby screwed with latency on my sonos system in the living room!
Thank You for your review, I am a beginner about streamer, I hope you can help me! I'm thinking about buying a streamer for my home hi-fi (Pathos Acoustics TT amplifier, Sonus Faber Grand Piano speakers, Audiolab 8200 Cd, this Cd player has the ESS Sabre 32-bit Dac that can be used as external DAC for other units) So my queestion is: since It seems that my CD player has the same or similar dac of Bluesound Node X, should I go for Bluesound Mode X or a cheaper streamer using my CD player dac? Any suggestion? Wiim Pro? Thank You, Rob.
Hey Rob! If you like the sound of your CD player and just want to add streaming capabilities you can’t go wrong with a Wimm pro or mini, highly recommend them! 👍
@@SmallRoomAudio thank you!
Still very happy with my 2i. Thinking about adding an external dac like Qutest or Gustard A26 but skeptical that the money spent would result in a significant improvement. Nothing about the X appeals to me enough to upgrade. Don’t want silver, don’t need the remote or full size headphone jack. I think it is time Bluesound should put out something like the sister company NAD C700 but without the amplifier. Stick with the Node family look but go to town with the audio and add a screen.
Don't have the X version but Eversolo DMP-6A Master edition blows away my 2i with linear power supply + Pontus II in just about every dimension except the warmer sounding from the Pontus II. If you are keeping the 2i, the linear power supply is something you may consider. The noise floor dropped significantly with the linear power supply and song sounds cleaner and imaging improved few folds.
I did have some issues with pairing the Samsung S8+ phone with the A6. That could be my phone's issue for my wife's iphone connected with the unit at first attempt. It is resolved now. Through the process of pairing, I am even happier on the purchase of the master edition. Emails responded almost immediately from eversolo and even a phone call from Admir from SummitHIFI to help resolve the pair issue in the weekend.
upgraded from 2i to Gustard 26.
Very happy and the upgrade is great across all fields.
Nearly bought one today but then noticed that there is a minimum 50msec delay to account for grouping in a multi room setup, but that includes the eArc input for watching video, which is undefeatable even if you are not using groups/multiroom. Not sure anyone needs multiroom audio when watching a movie. Customer/technical support seemed to be unreasonably stubborn and evasive judging by the messages dating back 4 years on the support forums.
Who makes the 3D diffusers between the GIK??
Vicoustic DC3 👍
Will the Node ever do DSD?
I had a powernode for years and was blissfully ignorant. Then the upgrade bug hit and I’ve been depressed ever since
I bought a really expensive component I couldn’t really afford, it sounded amazing, but knowing it was out of my league financially really depressed me! I actually get more joy from cheaper components that don’t make me have buyers remorse!
Quite! The other mistake was getting into vinyl…
Good stuff holds it value, maybe not in the streaming world but with other gear it’s fine. My more expensive stuff I treasure and enjoy, if you’re young and healthy just enjoy and be happy. 🤓
Just ad a PD creative module with an Aliexpress ultra lineair power supply and this Node turns into a hi end dac/streamer. No kidding
Bit surprised that you could hear no difference between the Wiim mini feeding the Chord mojo dac and the Bluesound Node X feeding the same Dac as other reviewers have found the sound better with the Bluesound.
As a digital source it was very similar to my ears, mileage may vary though!
@@SmallRoomAudio At least you are telling your truth. It is not uncommon for people to have different views in audio 😀
Not wanting to groan and moan but this review has come from nowhere?
According to your shorts video I thought we were having a Harbeth speaker and then Class D power amp review? Did I miss these?
My bad. Just checked and you did the Harbeth review. I even commented. Doh.
Hypex Nilai is on the way, but it’s been delayed whilst I try it with a passive preamp. I want to make sure that the review is a good one and I’m not just pumping hype into the internet.
@@SmallRoomAudio Ok, yeah, that makes sense.
Regarding the new Node, I’ll stick with my modded 2i for my purposes, as you mention in your review.
Keep it up.
Cheers
Sorry to say but the headphone out is hopeless with Sennheiser HD650, 660S2 and 600. Got them all. The built-in amp is useless with most planar headphones and any dynamic past 60 Ohm.
Al these types of reviews are handicapped by the reality of how they are interfaced with each other…just changing a power cord or an interconnect can dramatically change the sound
It`s plastic