Gremrock Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Hi Looking at something for easy digital playback and simple iPad control (got an iPad) for CD and above playback.. I like the look of the vault but does it allow you to also put on via USB, hi res files, what bit rates? Does it handle DSD etc? I want to be able to rip cds straight onto the unit like the bluesound, are there other/better options? Or can I just get a Mac mini and run an app to control it (without a monitor available) from the iPad and run audivarna or similar? One last idea is just to set up a small iMac at the other end of the room and run wifi to an Airport express? Would anyone recommend this idea or even with a streamer, can you use an iPad with any to control the music? Looking to keep it relatively low cost, and simple. Serious listening will happen via the meridian CD player or a nice turntable when I get to buying another one.. Cheers for reading through another ramble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 20 minutes ago, Gremrock said: Hi Looking at something for easy digital playback and simple iPad control (got an iPad) for CD and above playback.. I like the look of the vault but does it allow you to also put on via USB, hi res files, what bit rates? Does it handle DSD etc? I want to be able to rip cds straight onto the unit like the bluesound, are there other/better options? Or can I just get a Mac mini and run an app to control it (without a monitor available) from the iPad and run audivarna or similar? One last idea is just to set up a small iMac at the other end of the room and run wifi to an Airport express? Would anyone recommend this idea or even with a streamer, can you use an iPad with any to control the music? Looking to keep it relatively low cost, and simple. Serious listening will happen via the meridian CD player or a nice turntable when I get to buying another one.. Cheers for reading through another ramble Looks like the Bluesound doesn't support DSD, does MQA though. Naim Uniti Core does DSD but it's at least twice the price. The full specs are on both the Bluesound and Naim sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luc Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Shame Lord Yolk is no longer a member here as he could point you towards the ultra new bit of ripping BT magic he recently purchased which is a wee bit more advanced than a BS Vault apparently. I'll remember the name eventually and post you a link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonny Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Another good option would be the Innuos Zen Mini for around the same price as the Bluesound. http://www.innuos.com/en/catalog/go/zen-mini-mk2-std Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fenda Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/251580-fs-digibit-aria-piccolo-high-end-music-server/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gremrock Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share Posted August 18, 2018 Thanks for the options Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 Well time to pick up the Bluesound Node 2i this afternoon and have a listen. Though I’d start a thread for like minded users to discuss! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Marc Posted November 16, 2018 Administrator Share Posted November 16, 2018 By all accounts it's a remarkable upgrade in sound quality over Gen2. Looking forward to your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 Update update update .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 15 minutes ago, Marc said: By all accounts it's a remarkable upgrade in sound quality over Gen2. Looking forward to your thoughts. I promised @evil c I’ll take mine over and make a comparison without external DACs. Hes worried it will make him ask Santa for an upgrade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil c Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 I promised [mention=116153]evil c[/mention] I’ll take mine over and make a comparison without external DACs. Hes worried it will make him ask Santa for an upgrade [emoji16]Grrr - I am Santa ! [emoji1] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 (edited) Great initial impressions!! I really like the BluOs also. It has a really analogue sound. To be fair I haven’t run it without the Geiseler yet. Iys like playing a really really good pressing. The bass in “ The Chain” is kicking me in the chest. Edited November 16, 2018 by jakeyb77 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrews_melb Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 Brilliant! Can you keep us in the loop when they add airplay? I dont use apple music but my wife does and can see the appeal of airplay2. wishing airplay was backward compatible with gen1 but appears not.. santa may sneak a 2i into the racks un announced! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolster Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 @jakeyb77 Can I ask what you were using as a streamer before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 5 minutes ago, wolster said: @jakeyb77 Can I ask what you were using as a streamer before? I’ve used a Yamaha WCX-50, Logitech Transporter, Squeezebox, Pioneer N-50. I was talking to Clive last night and we were on the same page. Many times I good good sound stage with vocals above the tv in the middle. Good separation between left and right. This has all that but the Vocal now seems way deeper than the TV and it’s like all the gaps are filled between left to middle to right. It’s more holographic if you will. I find the mid range fast and musical and the bass is solid and not bloated. As said the Klein and the BS are on in this scenario so a further test without the Klein is needed to be fair to the BS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolster Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 Thanks @jakeyb77 Listening now to the Bluesound2 and didn’t think I would have an itchy upgrade finger for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 22 minutes ago, wolster said: Thanks @jakeyb77 Listening now to the Bluesound2 and didn’t think I would have an itchy upgrade finger for a while. From reading reviews they seemed to lean toward the 2i being an improvement on the 2 but possibly for most not enough to force an upgrade. I was in the lucky position of wanting a BS Node 2 at the time the 2i was released so it was a no brainer as the 2i was only $50 more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim D Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 I run my NODE2 into a Klein dac so I wonder if having the 2i would make a difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tone Malone Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 I'd be keen to hear opinions of how the Node 2i's sound quality compares with the gen 1 & 2 Node. I have the gen 1 Node and while it has a nice analogue sound, the DAC could do with a bit more clarity. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrews_melb Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 @Tone Malone so do i and havnt ever used an external dac. Although i though gen 1 and 2 shared the same dac? I love mine, use it daily and its only fault to me is its shape. Luckily its currently hidden in a drawer. I did think that because the gen 1 and 2 where released so close together, maybe 12mths, they kept the same dac in it. I maybe wrong though. Either way excellent sounding units and id be lost without mine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 What HiFi gave their thoughts on the comparison.... https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/bluesound-node-2i Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 playing an MQA version of one of my favourite artists and it’s sound magnificent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolster Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 @jakeyb77 Thanks for the tip Playing it now. Can I assume you are playing without the Klein involved to get MQA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jakeyb77 Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 6 minutes ago, wolster said: @jakeyb77 Thanks for the tip Playing it now. Can I assume you are playing without the Klein involved to get MQA? Still running into the Klein so whatever that end result is. Digital hasn’t been my strong suit. I’ll get some time in the week to remove then DAC and offer a comparison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolster Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 1 minute ago, jakeyb77 said: Still running into the Klein so whatever that end result is. Digital hasn’t been my strong suit. I’ll get some time in the week to remove then DAC and offer a comparison @jakeyb77 Not sure of your setup but I have coax out of Bluesound into my DAC for most music. For MQA I have RCA from Bluesound to preamp so it is just a case of switching inputs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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