So far, so good! Not using the internal dacs? Otherwise you need to move up to something like a Lumin U1 Mini. Naim ND5-XS (S/H) The Matirx streamer as well as the audiolab streamer are superb too. The Bluesound Node 2i is designed with enhanced dual-band WIFI to render the best-in-class performance even in crowded airspaces. 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. I first streamed digital files attached to my network computer thinking the USB was only good for smaller capacity flash drives. It is half the price of the Cambridge and has a much better user interface with BluOS. 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. The more I read about the Node 2i, the better it seems for my purposes. The Node 2i earned a place in second and third systems and lately in my test system that I use for equipment reviews and general fiddling, experimenting with and staging of new components, etc.. In equal power mode, you'll hear these differences in loudness as they naturally occur between speakers. Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) Firmware Update Problems. Files are large as unable to justify individual track ripping for some music styles (jazz, classical) and instead do full record sides. Hi all, just considering dipping my toe into the sreaming world actually working with the Bluesound Node on a SN3. I'm probably recalling it badly but I think the USB spec is 3m (or maybe 5). I could purchase the s/h ND5-XS for roughly right inbetween the new prices of the Bluesound and the cambridve. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. DACs, Streamers, Servers, Players, Audio Interface. Absolutely outstanding are the words I think of to describe the selection, price, shipping, & the customer service. If I recall correctly the Node 2 did not test well. 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. Sorry if this is a duplicate of some sort (lots of threads to sort through) but I was hoping to get some help from you guys. I have not heard the Bluesound. But I've heard consistently that the Cambridge sounds better which I would expect. Crutchfield: Legendary Service. I didn't know that. You can also consider Matrix mini ipro/3. Too bad the matching amp is priced so high. Sure, you can carry a small handheld speaker with you, but Deia takes her portable tunes more seriously. If you decide on the CXN, spend a little extra to upgrade the power cord. For the money I doubt theres anything else out there to beat it until you start spending Naim or similar entry level price points. Dave's made his daily life so much more convenient by installing Smart Home devices. 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. company number 03997482, registered in England and Wales. You are using an out of date browser. (Not sure if I can get the correct interconnect for my toe though!). When I had the Node 2 I used two outputs. Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by wingram, Jul 5, 2019. 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! You are using an out of date browser. I have been recently trying to confirm my understanding of the ascending order of things! It may not display this or other websites correctly. Too many DACs> Too many amps> Too many headphones. 99 Sale price $299. 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. So what solutioN do I have? The other possible route is to put a PSU on the NDX2 such as an XPS. Certainly got a point Seeker-smith,i was on the other side of this before, drooling over these big streamers, but then Im even considering just a cable. I read somewhere there would be a partial unfolding (higher res than red book) on MQA titles from Tidal. However its several years old and Im wondering if a new version will be out soon with improved functionality, MQA support most likely. 4, was the latest, and supports multi-room use, resampling, and Memory Playback. File format is predominantly FLAC with some WAV and Mp4 for the 16/44.1's. Panasonic 55FZ950. I can't speak for apple devices but android ones most certainly do do that processing unless you use special software like USB audio player Pro app. The Bluesound supports a HDD whereas the Yamaha only supports a USB stick. Is this correct? Inside the a-s801 is ES9010K2M. 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 NDAC was certainly an upgrade on the internal DAC on the original NDX. Copyright 1996-2023, Crutchfield New Media, LLC. Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) tech specs High resolution 24-bit/192kHz, DSD64 Streaming features UPnP, AirPlay, internet radio, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Inputs USB type A x2, USB type B, optical, coaxial Outputs Optical, coaxial, balanced XLR, RCA Network Ethernet, wi-fi Remote Yes Finishes 2 Dimensions (hwd) 9 x 43 x 31cm Weight 4kg Find out what makes high-res audio sound better, and how you can experience it. Being able to connect a HDD is much more ideal. Dont want the ****** internal DACs to touch the signal. So bluesound is streamer and CXA is both DAC and power amp 3) Bluesound to external DAC via digital coax, external DAC to CXA via RCA. So the cambridge gets rave reviews but It would be a struggle finding room in my existing CD6006 and Marantz Pearl Lite set up. But also I really need to know if the signal from the tablet or phone is untouched. You really need to listen to these combinations yourself as personal preference comes into play and we will not always reach the same conclusions. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, You are using an out of date browser. Personaly I'm not interested in other functionality like dac and pre amp. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. My advice to anyone who asks is to investigate them only after you are satisfied with every other part of your system, with emphasis on the speakers, room acoustics, and electronics. AVForums.com is owned and operated by M2N Limited, I did not try a directly connected HD. You must log in or register to reply here. Hi, looking for some advice please. But the term "chromcast" refers the technology which nowadays available in variety of equipments like TV, Streamer, Sound bar etc. Bluesound Node (2021) or CXN V2? My 2 cents; Buy the CXN v2 it's such a pleasure.the app works really quick and the quality is more then good. Also the means and ways of interacting with the CXN and its 'switchability' in always . I guess you got confused between "Chromcast audio" and "Chromcast", the former is an audio gear which is currently stopped production. If you no longer wish to receive the call, please click the button to cancel your request. 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. Since 1974.SM. So it's not the Connect app anymore but one called Stream Magic? Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 9:39 pm . JavaScript is disabled. If you're using an outboard DAC I believe the signal just passes through. I really appreciate your technical staff. with the design (ie look) of it. Affiliate programs and Very good units for the price, especially when connected via wired internet as opposed to WiFi. Your website is very efficient and easily navigable, selection is wide, and technical/chat support is outstanding. /Stageline Personally, I'd get an Amazon Basics or Ugreen that meets your requirements for terminations and length and give it a go. CXN is also 40% more expensive. 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? Is this the very latest model? the Amazon Associates Program via amazon.com. Which did you prefer and why? Yes, I agree! Hello. I find it an excellent combination. I have just returned to this forum, after around 15 years, having finally aquired some upgrades to my original entry level system of NAC92R/NAP90.3 which I bought with the intention of entering the upgrade path, though never got around to it! BUT. This does though, get some good reviews and not too expensive to dip your toe in, as has been suggested. I currently have both the bluesound node2i and the Cambridge CXNv2 and IMO, the DAC in the CXNv2 is better. Any difference? This gives you a more direct comparison of subtle voicing differences between speakers. CXN is amongst a handful of players to have Chromecast built-in. The CXN V2. The Node 2i costs about RM1,000 more than the Yamaha. A 3.5mm headphone jack can be found in the middle of the front panel, below the Bluesound logo, too. My setup is as follows and it sounds great. IMO any unit that does not have an MQA decoder will be effectively obsolete within 2 years. Every review I saw raves about the sound quality on the CXN-(V2). How to make the most of Amazon's high-res and CD-quality music streams. Carlos and Alex bring our famous DIY spirit to the annual United Way Day of Caring. SpeakerCompare is protected by patents and patent applications owned by Crutchfield Corporation. SpeakerCompare simulates the sound of home and car speakers through your headphones. I thought I'd just see how well it worked for larger drives so I connected my Toshiba 2TB drive with about 1TB of music files via the USB input. Mac Mini? Not sure how much better it is than a Node but it supports all major streaming platforms plus ROON. JavaScript is disabled. Naim ND5-XS (S/H) Bluesound Node (New) I'm always impressed with their professionalism and sincerity. Then again, I do need to think forward and perhaps an outside/backyard setup may be advantageous. Very good for the money. A second hand Auralic Aries mini is another option worth considering. Linked to my laptop, other than getting the artwork wrong occasionally, its pretty seamless. What is the difference between 'dark' and 'warm'? I'll be a customer for as long as they are in business. All using original Naim interconnects and NAC-A5 cabling to an old pair of Castle Harlech speakers. I prefer Audiolab over Bluesound Node 2i. AirPlay 2 and Chromecast compatible, the Cambridge CXN v2 network player can receive music from any iOS or Android smartphone. Preferred the smsl su-8 over their inbuilt DAC. Europe's busiest forums, with independent news and expert reviews, for TVs, Home Cinema, Hi-Fi, Movies, Gaming, Tech and more. NAP180 All web chat conversations are recorded. i have mentioned before, i had an all JBL LSR 3XX system with subwoofer and I could not get the pacing nor timing right until I added Audirvana that was the missing link. Its a brilliant streamer, dac, Preamp, bluetooth & Mqa is also there. If you're doing Roon just get a Sonore Ultra Rendu and go USB to the DAC, Yeah, Ive looked at those and I just dont think I can get along. I auditioned both the Node and the Cambridge. I've used the USB out to my DAC, and like many others have had to revert to a digital coax connection for Roon as crackles and pops make listening impossible. So I'm biased there and also multi-room can get expensive. Bluesound app and library management is much better though and more suited for multi-room.usecases. Someone mentioned here that the Cambridge doesnt so full resolution unless using their app? Please consider the user interface. The Cambridge CXN (V2) is $1100. May 1, 2020. You bet! Built my own and took ten minutes. No, Im not very aware of software choices at this point. Others like Cambridge CXN and 851N or steamers up to 2500 euro/dollar like Teac, Sotm, Lumin, Innuos Zen etc. Crutchfield is a servicemark of Crutchfield Corporation. BlueOS is quite intuitive. I have the moon neo 250i amplifier Top . All Naim streamers have a digital output which allows you to run them with a separate DAC as an upgrade option. A lot of good advice on this site. If your headphones aren't listed, we recommend using our Listening Kit. I suspect a ND5 XS2 is in my future, for simplicity. The OP was interested in the Node, not the Vault. For Tech Support, call I am mostly concerned with SQ on the digital outputs. I am looking forwarding to attaching one of my external hard drives to it for playback of lossless vinyl rips while I work. I don't need to spend thousands but it's a toss up between the Bluesound Node 2i and the CXN. So the cambridge gets rave reviews but It would be a struggle finding room in my existing CD6006 and Marantz Pearl Lite set up. But it's a little involved and if you don't like to tinker stick with the CXN or get a Node 2i. Bluesound Node 2 vs Cambridge CXN. I do use an external Meridian DAC (which I had already owned) and the difference between the two DACs is very subtle. Great customer service, product expertise & lifetime technical support has me as a happy customer. The Cambridge is in the list because i like the idea that I could use the internal DAC instead of my A-erhalten DAC, if It is better. The Node can be impressive and always seems to be compatible with every streaming service around. Chromecast is not an option as I cant stand non-gapless, although having chromecast would be a plus for using things like SoundCloud.