So I purchased a Bluesound Node X with the hope that it would improve my streaming experience and overall listening experience. It really hasn’t.
I use Amazon Music and other than some minor conveniences (like not interrupting music when a call comes in) I’m not sure it was worth the $750. The sound from the Laptop via USB sound fuller and just as detailed as the Node and it seems like its just another piece of equipment I don’t really need. Am I missing something?
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I got to WiiM mini because I was tired of tethering my iPhone to my DAC with a USB. But recently I’ve gotten curious about moving up from lossless to high res audio, wondering if I can hear the difference. Airplay 2 doesn’t support high res, so back to tethered. Fortunately my desktop iMac is close enough that I can run the USB to that. And now I can stream either from the computer in high res, or the phone lossless. I think high res maybe sounds better or maybe I’m imagining it. 😊
Since my streaming service of choice is Apple Music, and I’ve already got too much nice looking gear on the rack, I don’t see any reason for anything fancier than the WiiM. Being able to stream from my phone is convenient, and worth the Mini’s price just for that.
Would need to know about where you are doing Digital to analogue conversion but in general unless you need a box that you can stream to from many platforms and it can’t be like a chromecast. If that’s not true then absolutely return this ASAP. The only thing that matters for your sound quality here is what is doing the digital to analogue conversion. It sounds like if your laptop is out via USB then you are actually plugging both the node and the laptop into an external DAC. Digital is digital, it’s the same 0s and 1s.
Some people don’t want a laptop sitting on there console in the middle of their living room. Those people like dedicated streamers can sound good and live without being a potential eyesore. If that isn’t an issue, then yes a laptop or computer with a good USB dac will do the job.
My wife would 100% not be cool with my gaming laptop being a part of out media setup lol. Something like a Nad m10 has high PAF. The node can be setup pretty much stealth. No approval needed.
It’s easier to deal with from the couch with a remote
On the digital realm it’s all the same. Start caring when you go to the analog real. The DAC matters (to a point), the streamer does not.
In terms of sound quality. Then you might find convenient to have spotify connect on the streamer and don’t depend on the laptop, but nothing to do with sound quality.
I use raspberry pi as a streamer it’s tiny and hidden. In fact I have a few of them one sits next to my chair with an external DAC amp for headphone listening.