My favorite part of the fake sponsor add is that it is easy to get to serious about our audio, and audio is first and foremost about having fun. It reminds me to relax and laugh. I vote to keep the adds. Really enjoy your work!
Please don’t stop the Sith Audio sponsorship. That is just one of the things that make your channel unique. Your presentation is uniquely yours and in my humble opinion Sith Audio is part of it. That’s what makes you the Cheapaudioman. Your sponsorship takes makes me chuckle, hell I enjoy the channel enough I bought a Sith Audio mug. And I thought Rocktopus (spelling butchered) was funny. Don’t change your brand totally. Of course you might have to tweak things along the way, what reviewers don’t. Now the Sith Audio coffee mug did kill all my other mugs, even my Spider-Man mug, so we know who would win that battle. But I guess that’s what one should expect with a Sith in the house. Happy New Year and looking forward to more reviews in 2022.
Audiophile food products. Sith audio condiments will help your ears pick up the tiny details other non audiophile products miss. Introducing Sith Audio Mustard, mayo, and ketchup.
About a screen: One thing many people don’t realize about Bluesound is that they have a fully open network interface. While I agree their software is excellent, you can use the network protocol to customize your setup. So, Randy, if you want a screen, you can do it. A cheap Amazon tablet, or a Raspberry Pi & a small screen, or even your smart TV, can show album art, track info, etc. I’ve done it. It takes a bit of fiddling, but it’s very cool. Mount a screen in a picture frame & hang it on a wall, & have dynamic album art.
@@brochg There are probably a lot of ways of doing it, depending on your coding skills. I'm a beginner, so I did it the easy way. I have Node Red running on a Raspberry Pi on my local network. I set up Node Red to get album art & track info from my Bluesound PowerNode, using the Bluesound API. This sets up a local webpage that any web browser on my local network can access (tablet, computer, smart TV, Raspberry Pi with a screen, etc).
@@user-zc8ro6hh8c Make a video brother... I have been looking for a Raspberry Pi with a quality streamer, and there is nothing out there in a completed form. I don't have time to code, and I am sure I could figure it out, BUT, being Mac centric, investing in a PC is not something I am interested in doing. I would pay $500 for a premium Rasberry Pi with a top hat, like the one Darko has on his channel, I think it is the Allo?
So true. A node with a screen would be so great. It would fly off the shelfs. The NAD C700 with the amp is just a to big gap away from the Node. Optional screens in different sizes connected over WiFi. 🤔
You already know i’m mall about the sponsors. Picked up some Sith Audio gift bags. Dam those things surprised me. They were able to to carry frequencies as heavy as 13hz 😆. Then after just half a serving of Sith Audio stuffing, my hearing extended to 37kHz! Talk about going back and re listening to all my favorites. Granted, I don’t get a wink of sleep when i go camping, due to the sound of all the mosquito farts. All in all… worth it!! I use the blue sound app for Qobuz. Was very surprised it worked so well. Had my node for about a month. Anyone had any issues with the 12volt trigger out? I can’t get amp to turn on. Yet to reach out to blue sound. Their faq’s said something about a delay turn on but I’ve had no luck.
Listening to this from my FiiO BTA30 Pro. They upgraded the DAC chip and made all around improvements vs the original. Plus it's aluminum now. Pretty unbeatable.
Interesting information. There are a few complaints about the USB output on the Bluesound forum. Apparently these are just isolated cases. Good to hear it's working fine for you. I also plan to buy the Node.
I got a Powernode this Tuesday and I am totally in love! I have it paired with Q Acoustics 3050i's with QED XT-40i cable. What a combo, absolutely stunning sound, this amp is next level!
Randy, I have found such incredible deals from your sponsors starting with the Charleton Heston Compressed Air at $129/bottle. All of the Audiophile products are incredible especially the zip lock bags. I place my CD 💿 s in them and the audio quality goes through the roof. The Audiophile packing tape is unbelievable. Please keep 'em comin'!
Mr JD @ Darko Audio's channel review agrees about the current Bluesound Power Node. Using this with the new powered KEF sub and their LS50 Meta speakers he said "I think I've hit paydirt". Before the holidays I popped into my local dealer to try this out (as I'm considering downsizing) and, with the staff in tow to listen as well, and we were all very seriously impressed and that it would be an almost perfect, superb modern and compact system. Very high value but not exactly low cost though, sadly. An excellent channel and great style, reviews. Please keep them coming.
Well done and no exaggeration. I use the Node on some very high end equipment and absolutely love it. And yes I do use a different external DAC but it seamlessly integrates into the Node. Also the app on the Node that integrates all the different steaming services is a game changer to me. Thanks for doing.
Great vid as always! My thoughts on the sponsor bits. I've been skipping them recently if they're from Sith Audio. It's a bit that is recycled a too much to be funny. I do really like the other "sponsor" bits that don't have to do with audiophile stuff. I find them a lot more funny. Also don't feel like you need to do one each video! Also, if you enjoy doing the Sith Audio Bit, then keep doing you!
I wanted to buy the bluesound node and combine with an amplifier. But I discovered the Marantz PM 7000N streamer receiver and I use Apple AirPlay 2 from my IPad. Via my IPad I installed the Marantz in 3 minutes and it’s gapples. I hooked a pair of Amphion Argon One speakers and for 2 500 euros I had a very good sounding set. I stream Spotify in his highest quality and sins one month Apple Music lossless both for 9,99 euros a month. I like your reviews just but the most products you review are not easy to find in Europe. I am also a fan of John Darko and A British Audiophile. Greetings Ludo Belgium
@@1959ludo Airplay is gapless and outputs at CD-quality, perfectly fine. Bluesound Node is overpriced for what it is, you made the right choice. Nice setup 👍🏾
Got mine ethernet wired, working as a preamp into my Arcam SA20....outputting to my Wharfedale Evo 4.2's and high passed Wharfedale SW150 sub Simplicity with excellence.
Wake up - check coffee - check cheapaudioman video - check fake sponcer add - check and keep it going, adds to the charm of your videos. Happy New year man.
I questioned Lenbrook's decision to launch a lower cost "lifestyle" brand version of NAD when they started up Bluesound. Oh how wrong I was but it is really pleasing to see how successful Bluesound has become. They have a good team here in Canada and they do listen to the end users. So a screen?......... Maybe!
Any hardware or service that utilizes a software UI is hit or miss. The Hulu UI is one of the worst, if not the worst user interfaces I have ever used. Bad UI makes great hardware or services unusable. Happy to hear Bluesound does it right. Sith Audio has been with you since the beginning. That loyalty should be rewarded. 😉
Happy New Year, Randy! I got the PowerNode 330 about five months ago, and I love it. I paired with a set of Q-Acoustics 320i, because I have a fairly small space, but that combo really rocks. Set up was a breeze and the Wi-Fi works flawlessly every single time. In one of your earlier streamer reviews, you hit the key point for streamers: the software. If you don’t have a solid software foundation, the hardware becomes irrelevant. That’s why I ended up returning a couple of Andover Songbirds, I was never able to get it to work. Solid review.
Your channel is the best!…… great content that hits home with all of us….. plus, putting a humorous spin on things makes it fun….. keep doing what you are doing!
I just got a bluesound node based on your videos. I found 3 big cons: 1. When using hdmi arc the sound are 20db quieter 😵 2. No eq, tone control sucks 3. No On Off button but it gets warm when in standby
I bought a dedicated fire tablet for my node 2i. That serves as my “screen”, is portable, functions as a remote, and can be upgraded in the future. :).
I have a Bluesound 2i. Started with the original square Nod a few years ago. They are fantastic units. The newer one works more smoothly. The bluesound is excellent. Recently installed an SMSL SU-9 dac In one of my systems and the improvement over the Bluesound unit was pretty impressive. I’m not sure most people would notice it but if you have a trained ear and know what you’re listening for, a better dac can make an improvement. I stream directly from 2i in one of my systems in it is incredibly good. Enjoy your reviews.
I hate/love the node 2i. The only reason to hate was that 3 months after purchase of a Node 2i, the 2021 node came out for exactly the same price. 2i DACs aren't bad and firmware upgrades were awesome, but didn't quite complete with the 2021 node that I replaced it with.
Alternatives to Bluesound Node: Option 1: Raspberry 4 w/7" touch display running Ropieee - about $200 at current prices Schiit Audio Bifrost 2 DAC - $599 Schiit Audio Magni 3+ amp - $99 Sennheiser HD 560S phones - $199 Total just under $1100 Option 2: Raspberry 4 w/7" touch display running Ropieee - about $200 at current prices Topping EX5 DAC/AMP - $350 Hifiman Sundara phones - $350 Total about $900. Option 3: Note - this setup only requires one power outlet Raspberry 4 w/7" touch display running Ropieee - about $200 at current prices iFi Zen DAC 2 DAC/amp - $189 Grado SR325x phones - $295 Total about $684
Sith Audio has become an industry powerhouse and a signature part of this channel. Please keep them as a sponsor! How else will you make the payments on that Lambo in your garage?!
SITH audio pruducts are Sooo cool. Luv'm all ! They bring a little ray of tongue-in-cheek sunshine every time 😁. Can't understand why anyone wouldn't buy in to the idea.
Got the node paired up with A pear beolab 8000 fantastic stereo music listening, and even movies, when sitting at the sweat spot the sound wraps 240 degrees around me just ridiculous how good I wasn’t sure at first to sell my Bose lifestyle because I went from 5 to 2 speakers. No regrets at all this 2 channel gives me more immersion then my old system 🙈
Hello Randy, Awesome review ! i was looking for streamer for my Edifier S3000 Pro, i think the Node is the best streamer to go with, you should review the Edifier S3000 Pro, fantastic pair of powered speakers. please keep the sponsors.
Totally concur with everything said. Still using the first version and as a streamer alone is a no-brainer. App is great, always works, dead easy to use. Plus it’s cheap enough to not feel bad upgrading in ten years when if all the technology changes.
Great review Randy. I think having the sponsor chaptered at the front would be an option for those that don't like them. The Bluesound Node is an end point for me, I have to work on convincing my wife that my link is a step toward that.
I find your fake sponsors very entertaining and it gives us a glimpse into your sense of humor, so it's a definite yes from me. They also hopefully highlight to any sponsors that may catch one of your videos that it might be a good idea to bring you onboard. Hope you and your's had an awesome New Years and are as happy as I am to put '21 behind us. Thanks for always giving your honest opinion and also for reviewing gear I don't need a second mortgage to buy. Hope you have a great '22 and your channel grows as much as it deserves to...
I still wish Bluesound would make straight streamer with digital outputs without all the fluff (HDMI out, sub out, bass management, analog in, headphone output, built in hardware controls, etc) and sell it for half the price of this. I would’ve bought one a couple years ago by now if they did that. So until Bluesound or someone else releases a streamer that works this well and is around $300, I’ll keep using my Raspberry Pi with the Allo DigiOne HAT for my streamer
I like the Subwoofer option because many people may, like myself, have stereo amps without subout functionality. So if I want to get rid of my floor standing speakers, I can go with bookshelf and add a sub through the Node
Just discovered your channel and watched this video as I was reading about differences between the Node2, the Node2i and the latest, the Node. Great video and complete review. I own the older Node2 for now and may upgrade but most of what I read mentions great upgrades with WiFi and Bluetooth and the fact that the latest 2 devices have Apple capabilities; but not so much being said on the DAC and sound improvement. Some say the sound is improved with better instrument separation and being clearer but I wonder if this is because the AB comparisons were made from a WiFi connection? I have mine ethernet wired and I think it sounds awesome, I dont need Apple Music so I wonder if there is truly a sonic difference with upgrading to the Node2i or the latest. Lastly, I wouldn't care about a screen on their product as you get it on your control device (phone, tablet, etc.). Again thanks a lot for your review, I will check out your other vids. Cheers
Yes sponsors. I have bought so many things from Sith Audio. My most recent purchase of their toilet plunger sounds amazing! I plug up my toilet just so I can hear it!
I have the Node 2i and use an external DAC for better sound. I also use the Node 2i as a preamp with my powered speakers with a remote control. The sub output is just the best way to control the sound.
Happy New Year big guy! I so enjoyed your video creations last year...I don't expect this to change this year...Thanx in advance! 😎 100,000 subs? (absolutely)
Perhaps people who don’t like the sponsors have forgotten that RU-vid has a skip-forward function. Please keep the sponsors, Randy. And Happy New Year!
BluOS is a great interface; I’ve never had it lock up or die as has happened with Pro-Ject Volumio app. I wonder if the streamer portion in the Node is better than the previous models, so you pick up a previous model if you have a great DAC and you’re good to go.
You read my mind. I want a screen too. That's what has kept me from pulling the trigger with the gen 3. Right now I'm streaming Spotify through my laptop through a Schiit Gungnir DAC and it's OK. It doesn't compete with my turntable or through my CD transport with the same DAC. The laptop is definitely the weak link. Thanks for the review. Good stuff.
Your creating something entertaining and unique in this arena and you’re off beat style / humor and development of the channel needs no hooks in my view (sith or otherwise). I find it to be a perfect streamer component and I really enjoyed the DAC until I discovered some thing more to my leaning. Bluesound managed to create something that brought in new people to the fold and which is still used by audiophiles who have 5 to 12K systems. No small feat, no surprise considering the visionaries involved and I am already wondering if they will go to a 120W or 150W power node.
My Rio Karma had gapless playback (and crossfading (!!) when playing in random mode) back in 2001. Come to think of it, it had a docking station with an ethernet connection on it for... future capabilities that never materialized. They were so darn close.
I just bought one and it’s incredible. I paired it with Qobuz , the quality of sound is phenomenal. I’m running an optical to my Cambridge Audio CXA81, I haven’t used the built in DAC .
Before this video i had little interest in streamers. After watching this video I am now very intrigued. I'm old school and stick to CDs and vinyl mostly but I have been using a Bluetooth receiver and listening through Amazon music.
Hi Randy. Like your channel. If I could weigh in on your pick for best streamer, you seem to be referring to the ifi Zen Stream when you speak of other streamers that might sound better but are hard to connect and operate. I have a Zen Stream - picked one up last week after seeing Audio Canada's review of the Zen Stream vs Bluesound Node 2i. And coming from the Node 2i, I totally concur with their review: Zen Stream sounds much better than the Node 2i, and my impressions are done using the stock wall plug power supply that comes with the unit. Set up was relatively painless, after upgrading the software over an ethernet connection, I was able to connect via Tidal Connect without any issue, and it's been rock solid ever since. It also does gapless playback. I understand you had a bad experience with the Zen Stream when you reviewed it last year, but I'd give it another try. At $400 USD, it's cheaper than the Bluesound Node, and I would imagine that with an upgraded external power supply (something you can't do with the Bluesound Node that has a built in power supply), it should sound even better. For those audiophiles who want a great sounding streamer with USB output at a reasonable price, I think the Zen Stream is the one to beat!
You mentioned that the price would still be fair even without the internal dac/preamp/sub out etc. That actually made me think that an additional "stripped down" Node streamer might actually be a valuable offering. I don't know about production cost and how their margins work out, but I'd be interested in a Node minus the DAC/preamp/sub out for even a modestly lower price. I'm not hung up on the dac's measured performance, I just prefer to be able to use my own. It may be my ocd tendencies, but having a redundant dac I don't use in a streamer just feels like clutter to me(crazy. I know)? But the BluOS software and the constant updates and added features is basically unrivaled at even twice the price. I'll probably be purchasing one in the future, but for now my Rpi's and chromecast's do the trick, just not as well as BluOS imo. That's my 2 cents that nobody asked for😜Thanks for the video Randy!
A rooted Nvidia Shield Pro TV running sideloaded android apps will do most of (if not more than) what BlueOS does.. for $400 less. From the shield I run Viper4androidFX for EQ, Tasker for automation, and Tidals web based UI into my TV then into my home receiver over HDMI for the most cohesive home automation experience I've found in a streamer soo far. It's basically a Chromecast on steroids. I have it set up to where just walking into my house or laying my phone on my coffee table with an NFC tag built into it will wake up my home theater over cec and play music from whichever source I chose in tasker ie local or cloud. Same with movies. With root and sideloading, the possibilities are almost endless; if an android app exists, it can be finessed onto the shield to add into your setup. The only caveat is it's a pita to initially set up. Definitely not first timer friendly to root or learn to utilize tasker. Once eveything is though, it's smooth sailing.. I haven't had a single hitch in over a year of almost daily use. Edit** RU-vid is being legitimately stupid and not allowing me to respond to you. Here's my response, so hope ya see it: Yep, the Shield Pro 2019 has USB audio out, and there's an app called USB Audio Player Pro that will bypass androids up sampling. I've tested with 32 bit flacs over my NAS, and my Denon receiver says it is receiving the full stream. I believe Kodi does USB passthrough without any android bs too. I haven't tried Tidal Connect, and from what I read about a year ago the native Tidal app might not do full pass through and still rely on androids upsampling - I'd have to download it and do some testing before I can give any input on that. When I stream over Tidal I just use their web based UI and it'll do HiFi quality into my receiver, but the paid version of that Audio Player Pro app claims to have support for MQA over usb. Again, haven't tried it, but it's worth an afternoon tinkering if you already have a shield and a tidal subscription.
@@-Sethius- that sounds really cool, and I actually have an original 2015 Shield TV(non pro) that's been packed away for a year or so. I picked it up right at its launch and it was and still is far beyond any other set top box/streamer. I ended up switching all the TV's in the house to the CC w/ Google TV simply because of the simpler operation for the Wife and kid's, and I really like the new Google TV ui. Anyhow, I used to be really into tinkering with Android going back to about 2010ish, when XDA had just started to shift focus to Android Development. I'd have to fire it up to check, but I'm pretty certain I'd unlocked the bootloader and gained root level access to it, but I may have restored it at some point? I have a couple of questions though. Does the Shield have usb audio out, and if so I didn't think Android was capable of bit perfect? Doesn't it resample everything? I remember Viper when it was just in beta testing, and I never really considered using the shield to do dsp or parametric eq. I'd kind of forgotten about it. Another question, does the Shield Support Tidal Connect streaming yet? I've used the app, but I'd like to be able to use the connect feature so I can control it from my phone, but get higher quality streams then what Chrome Cast is limited to. Sorry for the long winded response and questions, but I'm interested now into looking into this some more. I appreciate your response and thank you!
@@-Sethius- thanks for the info man, it's appreciated! I've been home from work for the past few weeks with a few more to go, so wtf why not. It'll kill an afternoon at the very least!
Hey Randy, you sold me on the BlusesoundNode I have a Schiit Modi 3 DAC would you recommend staying with this if I get the node? Or bypass it completely?
The sponsors are fake, what, why didn't I know, this is total BS. But, seriously, please keep them coming, its nice seeing Randy trying to keep a straight face during the promo? Cheers
The Bluesound Node sounds like a good product with very good software, but I have a lot of DSD files that the Node won’t play or even send to an external DAC without converting the files to PCM. The HDMI input is something I’d like to have in a 2-channel system, but the Node apparently can’t decode Dolby HD 5.1 and down mix that signal to 2.1. I hope I’m wrong about that last point. On the other hand, equipment that will satisfy my wishlist costs a lot more money.
I still enjoy using a LMS (slim squeezebox Logitech) setup. I can either connect my dac directly to a fanless computer or in current setup use a Logitech transporter clock locked to dac. Combining a fanless computer and small server near my router running daphile as my dedicated LMS server. It gives me full lossless flac ripping and replay + via plugins I can stream via many web services and online radio providers etc. Still a really good setup. Shame logitech gave up on it cos it’s superb. I also have a duet device for my shed system and in my wee girls room and radio and boom box for other rooms making a really good multiroom setup too.
