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https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl AUDIO FORUMS >> Digital >> Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1702998494 Message started by Lazlo Hollyfeld on 12/19/23 at 15:08:14 |
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Title: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by Lazlo Hollyfeld on 12/19/23 at 15:08:14 I'm genuinely excited to have finally received my ZP3 and SE84UFO2 over the last couple of weeks. The amp drives a set of Zu DW6 Supremes, and the sources are either a restored Marantz 6300 turntable (with a Denon DL110 cart and a Ned Clayton Cinemag SUT) or a Bluesound Node. The Marantz-ZP3 combo sounds glorious. The Node, not so much. Compared to my First Watt J2, the Node via the Decware has a much thinner, almost tinny-sounding top end at times. Some mid-range sounds a little "crunchy." It's hard to describe, but I suspect that the Decware is just a lot more transparent than the J2, which, now in comparison, smoothes out the edges a bit. So long story short, has anyone fond themselves dissatisfied with the Decware-Node combination? |
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Title: Re: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by pursuitofnow on 12/19/23 at 15:35:19 cue the zrock ;) |
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Title: Re: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by CAJames on 12/19/23 at 15:48:59 Quote:
I suspect you are right. You might check out this thread for a discussion on how to improve the streaming experience: https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1633788897 |
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Title: Re: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by Lazlo Hollyfeld on 12/19/23 at 16:21:43 Great thread! Thanks for linking! Not sure I would have found it on my own ... |
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Title: Re: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by CAJames on 12/19/23 at 16:48:37 There is a lot of wisdom and experience on this message board and I've learned a bunch in the few years that I've been on it. FYI/FWIW my Decware amps replaced Pass Labs Aleph 2s that I had for 20+ years and thought were pretty much the last word in transparency and resolution. But my Decware amps are so much more honest and resolving that they forced me to spend a bunch of money to upgrade my digital front end. This is of course a good news/bad news thing because my digital now sounds amazing, to the point where I hardly ever play records any more. |
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Title: Re: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by Ghostship on 12/19/23 at 16:58:11 Decware amps have the ability to be amazing telescopes, or microscopes... Unfortunately, the Node is just a meh entry-level streamer/DAC. It's electronic components aren't very high quality, the clocks are not very good, it comes with a crappy switch-mode power supply, and there is no galvanic isolation between the dirty streaming side and the DAC, it has a SNR -113dBA, THD+N, 0.002%, native sampling 192 Khz max and 16 - 24 bit depth. This is perfectly acceptable performance until you hook it up to a Decware which will unmercilessly demonstrate its shortcomings. You could improve the performance a little by investing in a linear power supply. But, IMHO you have outgrown the Node, and I would recommend selling it and purchasing a superior streamer/DAC, such as the Eversolo DMP A6/Master Ed./A8, etc. And if you can afford it, there are other great options from Denefrips, PS Audio, MSB, etc. |
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Title: Re: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by Lazlo Hollyfeld on 12/19/23 at 18:32:50 That's a great analogy, Ghostship. I can't say I'm going to spill too many tears over "having to buy a cool new piece of gear." Besides the few higher-end brands you mentioned, folks I trust like the Border Patrol DAC a great deal. I'm also drawn to the Audio Note Kit DAC 2.1 Signature for both its reputation and the DIY aspects. |
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Title: Re: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by Paul2 on 12/20/23 at 08:30:31 I admit that I am a streamer ! We have a Cambridge Audio CXN V2 in the complete Decware system. Have been using it for about four years. This year while setting up a second system/room, we bought a Bluesound Node. Hade moved the CXN in to compare with the Node. The Node was "thin" as you describe. It was returned to Amazon. The second system now has a Eversolo A6 ME streamer/DAC/Pre. I'm done ! |
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Title: Re: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by Ghostship on 12/20/23 at 13:17:17 Oh, if you're DIY-inclined, then I would highly recommend building a RaspberryPi-based Streamer/DAC from components by IanCanada, the sound quality per dollar is tremendous. Here are some links to get you started down this rabbithole: There's a YouTube channel that shows these being built (Gabster): https://youtu.be/EPV1ON23L0Y?si=lIDy-yNGzI5jsSZg A forum chain where builders and IanCanada contribute frequently: https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/asynchronous-i2s-fifo-project-an-ultimate-weapon-to-fight-the-jitter.192465/page-545 And link to parts documents, prices, and ordering info: https://github.com/iancanada/DocumentDownload |
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Title: Re: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by Lazlo Hollyfeld on 12/20/23 at 14:31:31 Well damn, at that price point, I'll probably try this regardless! I've built several Bottlehead kits and some other board-based parts along the way, so this looks like a good way to spend a Saturday. |
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Title: Re: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by Yakatak on 12/22/23 at 05:27:09 I have a Bluesound Node, but run the streamer into a Doge 7 DAC. Not thin at all. |
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Title: Re: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by Bilyeaux on 12/25/23 at 01:57:50 I have the Node 2.1 into a Pontus2 and pretty close to my Marantz 6006 into Dac. Going to try the Vinshine PSU next. |
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Title: Re: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by Lazlo Hollyfeld on 01/02/24 at 13:55:19 Quick update. After a great conversation with Brian Smith over at Audio Note Kits, he sold me on building one of his DAC 2.1 Signature kits. Excited for a little DIY! |
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Title: Re: Dissapointed in Decware-Bluesound Node Combo Post by GeriTheBiker on 04/09/24 at 02:58:52 Unfortunately I do not own a Decware product, but I tested the Node. I did not feel it's sound was as good as the reviews suggested. It did not have a big sound stage, the mids were a bit flat, so it was not like I felt a kick in my chest. Or if I wanted to use to use your word, it was thin. But the main reason to return was that I had streaming issues. I could not make it play gap-less... Maybe I just did not find the setting, but I thought it was not worth the trouble... |
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