Upgrade streamer from Bluesound Node : what options to consider

[Radni14]

Currently I am listening mostly from streaming digital services, using Bluesound Node as streamer and with external DAC Denafrips Terminator T2 -12. Wish to climb up the upgrade ladder for the streamer transport- don’t want one with inbuilt DAC.
My budget is around 1.5L for new or used. I am not inclined to look at anything older than (maybe) 3 years model.
I invite and appreciate FMs suggestions for my next upgrade.
Thanks

 

[magma]

Point of diminishing returns
Now

 

[reignofchaos]

SOTM SMS 200 Ultra Neo + SOTM Power Supply + Clock/USB regenerator.

Just enable Diretta in the latest firmware and enjoy the best sound ever!

I just can't even express how big a difference Diretta makes to overall streaming quality compared to using RAAT or god forbid DLNA used by most streamers.

 

[jai1611]

With Denafrips, a DDC would be the place to start

 

[Analogous]

Currently I am listening mostly from streaming digital services, using Bluesound Node as streamer and with external DAC Denafrips Terminator T2 -12. Wish to climb up the upgrade ladder for the streamer transport- don’t want one with inbuilt DAC.
My budget is around 1.5L for new or used. I am not inclined to look at anything older than (maybe) 3 years model.
I invite and appreciate FMs suggestions for my next upgrade.
Thanks

The starting point would be to ask“what is lacking in my current sound from the existing set up”?
Then of course what more are you seeking?
If you have a clear idea of this you may discover the solution may lie in a different component (eg: speakers or room acoustics)
Accurate diagnosis leads to effective treatment

 

[Radni14]

Point of diminishing returns
Now

I am wondering, if so, not much point for me to upgrade.

 

[vinothkumar]

Currently I am listening mostly from streaming digital services, using Bluesound Node as streamer and with external DAC Denafrips Terminator T2 -12. Wish to climb up the upgrade ladder for the streamer transport- don’t want one with inbuilt DAC.
My budget is around 1.5L for new or used. I am not inclined to look at anything older than (maybe) 3 years model.
I invite and appreciate FMs suggestions for my next upgrade.
Thanks

Unfortunately there are no good options for you in this budget for upgrades. With terminator dac, you need a better streamer as well, which can not come less than 4L

 

[Radni14]

Unfortunately there are no good options for you in this budget for upgrades. With terminator dac, you need a better streamer as well, which can not come less than 4L

Would an upgrade to streamer Lumi U2 Mini be worth considering ( though @ Rs 2.2 L , it’s higher than my budget ) ?

 

[himadri]

Would an upgrade to streamer Lumi U2 Mini be worth considering ( though @ Rs 2.2 L , it’s higher than my budget ) ?

Check the u2mini street price, it might be nearer to your budget.

 

[ajuvignesh]

Hi. You can upgrade to latest gen bluesound devices too. Because they now feature dirac live license at an additional cost. This can transform your system a lot especially of you have bass issues in your system.
You can go with bluesound icon as it not only has dirac live support, it also has a huge display. As far as the sound quality goes, even the low end new gen bluesound nano will be an upgrade to old bluesound streamers.

 

[Radni14]

Unfortunately there are no good options for you in this budget for upgrades. With terminator dac, you need a better streamer as well, which can not come less than 4L

Would an upgrade to streamer Lumi U2 Mini be worth considering, or would that fall into category of “point of diminishings returns “ ?

 

[Analogous]

This might help you.
Or not.

The hi-fi industry on digital audio and why it is "demonstrably not the case" that it all sounds the same

Hi-fi industry experts talk software, power supplies, master clocks and more

www.whathifi.com

 

[Kannan]

@Radni14 since you already own an expensive DAC, I don't see any point on getting another streamer with an in-built DAC. You are better off putting your money in a streamer that is purely a digital transport. The streamer market today is flooded with some costing very high. With streamers though the diminishing returns starts very early. I suggest you look for one that natively integrates as many music streaming services and provides a robust app and provides all types of digital outputs for better integration in the future.
You can also look to put your money in a good music playing software like Roon which is very robust and integrates all your streaming services and local files for ease assuming your local files are properly tagged. Additionally Roon runs it's own transfer protocol called RAAT for a seamless internal environment.
I though am enemic to spending on software and mostly use open source stuff..but have dabbled with Roon and it is exceedingly good.

 

[Kannan]

Kanan,
I am a novice in digital audio, and don’t much know if I need to subscribe for Roon software for my Bluesound Node streamer or if Node comes with Roon: the Node says it’s Roon ready! I don’t know what it means.
Can you please guide me ?

Yes...Roon has 3 parts. The server, player and the endpoint. The easiest is to install on your windows or apple computer or laptop. Then both the server and player will be in the computer/laptop. Within the Roon player you can setup all your supported streaming services and access the local library of files. Also within the player all your supported endpoints, which includes Bluesound will be visible. Once you select Bluesound, now whatever you play will will streamed via Bluesound.

 

[Radni14]

Kanan,
I am a novice in digital audio, and don’t much know if I need to subscribe for Roon software for my Bluesound Node streamer or if Node comes with Roon: the Node says it’s Roon ready! I don’t know what it means.
Can you please guide me ?

 

[vinothkumar]

Would an upgrade to streamer Lumi U2 Mini be worth considering, or would that fall into category of “point of diminishings returns “ ?

No so high jump in sq with mini. With terminator dac you will have to try and pick your streamer. Terminator is more on the natural presentation side, more often flatter than dynamic in some setups, so better loan and try and take a call.

 

[Radni14]

No so high jump in sq with mini. With terminator dac you will have to try and pick your streamer. Terminator is more on the natural presentation side, more often flatter than dynamic in some setups, so better loan and try and take a call.

Thanks for your words of advice and caution.
I will see if I can try a streamer and then take the buy call

 

[fLUX]

The jump with u2 mini vs bluesound Node can be categorized as day and night. Even the Ifi Zen stream was a sizeable upgrade over Node. If you wish to use Roon and are open to streamers which are not as user friendly , Holo Red/Lindeman/SoTM are also options too.

P.S: Commenting from experience from owning most of those streamers ( barring Lindemann which I have listened to for a good part in other setups but no a/b experience).

 

[rikhav]

i am not sure whats the price of a good DDC / RECLOKCER
made by either denafrips / singxer / innuos

If either of them come in your budget + add cost of good power and digital cables of your choice
Then you can install daphile on any old pc / laptop and connect usb drive or nas with music.
This will have a big SQ jump


if the cost is as good as a good audio server better to wait and buy a server

 

[Radni14]

Personally I am not listening through PC or laptop or using server. My system is simple streamer-DAC- amp- spkr., using app of streamer on my mobile.
I am not very tech-Savy , so wish to stay simple.