1 Home Entertainment Tech Resource. I guess you got confused between "Chromcast audio" and "Chromcast", the former is an audio gear which is currently stopped production. You are using an out of date browser. The Bluesound seems relatively simple and definitely inexpensive. This discussion is important for me. the Amazon Associates Program via amazon.com. Thank you! (,,,) The node is appealing pricewise and I like what I have seen/heard but have yet to see or hear a cxn in the wild. It took some time to get it all indexed but once it did it worked just fine and I could access my music files via usb or network drives with equal facility and sound quality. Im sure some are going to throw in the Node does MQA but even so a superior DAC w/o MQA is still going to be better. Bluesound Node 2i This is another plug-and-play all-in-one box solution similar to the Yamaha. The CXN is great at $900, but even better at less than that. But it's a little involved and if you don't like to tinker stick with the CXN or get a Node 2i. affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network, and Not familiar with the the streamers youve mentioned, but youre getting some good advice. JavaScript is disabled. Bluesound Node (2021) or CXN V2? I have not tried the cxn v2 , but the node2i DAC was ok when I tried. 1 Home Entertainment Tech Resource. CXN (in my opinion) has a little darker sound (not to be confused with warm). So Im not sure what to go for between these streamers, or if I should simply stick with a cable for now. Thing is I just bought a Node as a streamer for my main system to find this unit is incapable to play any of the large files while the CXN2 has absolutely no issues going through the same data. A second hand Auralic Aries mini is another option worth considering. Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2018 9:39 pm . Star Wars 4-6 are the best movies. 1-888-292-2575. Jaded1 Nov 20, 2020 cxn marantz J Jaded1 Established Member Nov 20, 2020 #1 So I'm thinking of buying my first streamer. Cambridge Audio/Music Direct - CXN v2 Network Player Network Player on Sale for $725 Awesome deal on this unit! If you do not consent, please do not continue with chat assistance. It outperforms the Dac in my Cambridge 851C cd player. CXN is amongst a handful of players to have Chromecast built-in. A 3.5mm headphone jack can be found in the middle of the front panel, below the Bluesound logo, too. AVForums.com is owned and operated by M2N Limited, Others? you get some phase and time alignment voodoo as well as some system optimization benefits. I use Airplay for Qobuz. Wi-Fi speakers are the building blocks for wireless multi-room audio systems from Sonos, Bose, and other brands. Which is by no means guaranteed with Android (and possibly Apple- but check the threads on here about that) devices. Im still using a NP5 and Hugo mk1 - it sounds fabulous. affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network, and Can't say for surejust learning about this all myself. Being wireless is great, but that cable option is simple. This website uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb. Yamaha RX-A2070, Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp, Fluance RT85, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Polk L600's, L400, L900's, RC80i's, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Affiliate programs and Personally, I think you are better off with the NODE. They ARE NOT a streaming service. Would this hold true, for the nDAC, if I were to obtain an NDS2 or NDX at a later date, making it more favourable as a longer term investment - or would these mk2s negate the addition of an nDAC ? The CXN V2 is part of Cambridge Audio's midrange CX series, which also includes two integrated amplifiers and a CD transport. Not the earlier Node model though that pre dates the 2i, just to confuse matters I see Bluesound are now naming its latest iteration The Node. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Naim ND5-XS (S/H) Bluesound Node (New) So I know if I get a streamer and hook-up a hard drive to my files then I know Ill get clean source if I bypass the streamers DAC, however what Im trying to find out, is that if I skip the streamer and directly go from USB-B on the A-S801, through an appropriate cable, and straight into a tablet or phone, HOW to bypass the internal processing of the tablet or phone, so it can send a direct signal to the cable and onto my A-S801. If you are willing to pay that fine. So I know if I get a streamer and hook-up a hard drive to my files then I know Ill get clean source if I bypass the streamers DAC, however what Im trying to find out, is that if I skip the streamer and directly go from USB-B on the A-S801, through an appropriate cable, and straight into a tablet or phone, HOW to bypass the internal processing of the tablet or phone, so it can send a direct signal to the cable and onto my A-S801. You must log in or register to reply here. It can also transmit studio-quality music to Bluetooth headphones or external speakers. The Cambridge is in the list because i like the idea that I could use the internal DAC instead of my A-erhalten DAC, if It is better. Reviving this old topic as I am looking at both of these streaming devices and cant quite make a decision. Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) & CXA80 Double Review | The Master Switch The Master Switch Search Home Theater Best Full Systems 5.1 Home Theater Systems 7.1 Home Theater Systems AV Receivers I would go for the Cambridge over the Bluesound myself well regarded for its price. The factor that most affected my home network music streaming performance was/is the quality of the switch. The articles & videos are also super-helpful! I prefer Audiolab over Bluesound Node 2i. My first-hand feedback is that the Node works fine as a streamer (MPQ radio sounds good). Crazy. The world's largest high-end audio community. All you really need is a craving for good sound and a system-building plan. Why can't I access my USB stick via the USB Audio menu on the CXN (V2)? Given all the choices of streaming services, it usually comes down to one or two you really like to keep around. Crutchfield: Legendary Service. In equal volume mode, we've made the loudness of each speaker about the same. Sony A95L QD-OLED, X95L MINI LED And Full BRAVIA Range For 2023 (In-Depth Interview). The only oversight I can see is not including HDMI arc. Weve carefully chosen the components of this kit to ensure a crystal-clear listening experience. Dear friendsWhich one to choose? So many options to consider. Support for Tidal and Spotify, but no other streaming services unless you are prepared to try various workarounds. The Bluesound supports a HDD whereas the Yamaha only supports a USB stick. Use Tidal either directly to CA servers or along Qobuz via Roon to PS Audio. Ill inquire with Cambridge. I posted this in the Coupons, Discounts & Sales section Its a good sale now that Cambridge has announced the CX Series 2 line coming next week. The only lower cost transport that I know of that does a full MQA or DSD pass through is the Aries Mini. First, Yamaha wxc 50 in preamp mode does SRC to 48 KHz with everything . Does anyone have any insight. Otherwise you need to move up to something like a Lumin U1 Mini. JavaScript is disabled. Wiim Pro? Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Audiophile Music Streamer In The House: First Impressions And Unboxing Pics! I was just surprised to see the ND5-XS at a comparable price (although s/h) to the other 2 aforementioned products, which made me wonder Node app is way superior over the CXN and for me is the best music app after Roon. Good luck. Pleased with this digital part of my sound system while looking around and saving funds for a more performant replacement. I think its a home-run product. The internal device DAC isnt used when you connect via USB. Thanks for the update, consider adding this to your profile. with the design (ie look) of it. I think there was an android USB DAC app that did something like that (?) I am a Qobuz user and for me, it surpasses all other streaming services when it comes to SQ and content. Nothing comes close. Knowing which model headphones youre using lets us remove any sonic coloring from your experience. I use both qobuz and local flac files via Roon so integration with Roon is important too. Any thoughts on which would be the best idea from the following choices? I've had a node 2i for about a year now. It works great. Being able to connect a HDD is much more ideal. More modern, more compact, headphone out, sub out with cutoff filters for bass management, and allegedly blue sound is the best streaming software around. There are pros and cons on both sides. Then again, I do need to think forward and perhaps an outside/backyard setup may be advantageous. I dont know the Cambridge except for what Ive read. CXN v2 supports full 192khz if available. If your headphones aren't listed, we recommend using our Listening Kit. Getting hands-on with our products helps us pick what's best for our customers. Not sure how much better it is than a Node but it supports all major streaming platforms plus ROON. I need to replace my modded Sonos connect with a new streamer. Multi-room network audio players Multi-room connectivity emerged with the advent of digital music and wireless streaming. 853. I am on the hunt for a good streamer. Make sure its MIDI compatible and youll be good to go. Cambridge DacMagic vs Cambridge CXN v2 /v3, cambridge streamer cxn v2 USB tracklist error, issue with ECI-2, CXN v2 and external 2.5" HDD, Amplifiers, Phono preamp, and Analog Audio Review, Streamer/Dac Suggestions For AE1 Active's. Node? Yeah no to be clear, the DAC I want to use is in the A-S801 amplifier. Linked to my laptop, other than getting the artwork wrong occasionally, its pretty seamless. Compare Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) vs Bluesound NODE Free 2-day shipping to Washington 1-888-955-6000 Contact us Your account 0 Your cart Shop all departments Articles & videos Car audio & video Home audio TVs & video Headphones & wireless Marine Smart home Cameras & drones Pro audio Health More Specials Articles & videos B2B Sales Go Back 99 Sale price $299. They're always very helpful! My place for electronics, great customer service, product expertise & lifetime technical support. Use Airplay for Qobuz to CA servers. If so the I guess it just comes down to features/size etc. Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) tech specs High resolution 24-bit/192kHz, DSD64 Streaming features UPnP, AirPlay, internet radio, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Inputs USB type A x2, USB type B, optical, coaxial Outputs Optical, coaxial, balanced XLR, RCA Network Ethernet, wi-fi Remote Yes Finishes 2 Dimensions (hwd) 9 x 43 x 31cm Weight 4kg For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. That USB-C is direct, right? Then I traded up to the CXN 2, and late in 2018 to the Node 2i. If you no longer wish to receive the call, please click the button to cancel your request. The Bluesound is also half the price of the Cambridge piece. The NAD C399 has higher output and also the possibility of upgrading and having room correction. May 1, 2020. If you want to save some money and still want Tidal MQA you could go with a Bluesound Node 2i instead of the CXN. Is this the very latest model? Dont want the ****** internal DACs to touch the signal. You can also look at stuff from SMSL, Topping and NuPrime stream 9. Anyone have hands on with both? It is half the price of the Cambridge and has a much better user interface with BluOS. While the cost is about double if the sound quality is as good as . Both are good but prefer my PS Audio Directstream with Bridge II overall. Purchased both as opened box/clearance from CA with warranty. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Or, would the DAC quality in these streamers have surpasseed that offered by the nDAC, by this point, making the nDAC now redundant? On March 6, 2020 By hifitr5_wp There are a couple of budget (around $500) Audiophile Music Streamers I recommend. I guess your cambridge setup is messed up or the unit is defective. If the Sonos integration is important, get the Port (I haven't heard it, might be better than what WHF review says, especially if you add a good external DAC). Oh, apart from the RCA to DIN, where I have a Chord Crimson and a Chord Chrysalis (iirc?). i have mentioned before, i had an all JBL LSR 3XX system with subwoofer and I could not get the pacing nor timing right until I added Audirvana that was the missing link. I always choose to support you guys over a big box. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. A quality USB-C to USB-B cable from Amazon or Monoprice will got the job done. Hows that for humble? So Bluesound is both streamer and DAC, CXA is power amp 2) Bluesound to CXA via digital coax. Musiccast was crap. Read the manual, the CXN v2 passes digital through up to 24/192 on the toslink or coax. Sorry to throw a monkey wrench into the discussion, but after many A-B comparisons, in general the Chromecast sounds better than the Sondstream despite the occasional higher sampling rate. Affiliate programs and Thank you djones. CXN's DAC is definitely better than Node. Discussion in 'PCs & Music Servers' started by centralflori, Jul 3, 2021. I don't need to spend thousands but it's a toss up between the Bluesound Node 2i and the CXN. I find it an excellent combination. The CXN V2. For Tech Support, call Europe's busiest forums, with independent news and expert reviews, for TVs, Home Cinema, Hi-Fi, Movies, Gaming, Tech and more. Very good for the money. Naim ND5-XS (S/H) It includes a pair of studio-quality headphones, and a guide to getting the most out of your session, and a few other necessary items. Especially with Tidal MQA, would the node 2i unfold MQA to a partial level since the Yggy is not MQA compatible? Copyright 2000-2023 M2N Limited E. & O.E. I first streamed digital files attached to my network computer thinking the USB was only good for smaller capacity flash drives. So, are the prices going on the new paint scheme CXN v2? It seems as the CXN uses dual DACS and has balanced outs. I dont know the science around it, but my thinking is youd need to have a cable much longer that 2-3 meters to experience any noticeable degradation in sound quality. My setup is as follows and it sounds great. A lot of good advice on this site. actually working with the Bluesound Node on a SN3. Very good units for the price, especially when connected via wired internet as opposed to WiFi. How to make the most of Amazon's high-res and CD-quality music streams. That's interested @rvpiano. I auditioned both the Node and the Cambridge. I like to focus this list on the streamer sound quality (with the internal dac bypassed if existant). Unfortunately not. Personaly I'm not interested in other functionality like dac and pre amp. Hopefully this will be fixed with a future Firmware update, but at the moment it's an issue. NAP180 Any opinions on BS node 2i into Yggdrasil Dac. That's weird. Poor WiFi performance: you need to use an Ethernet cable for reliable performance. The No. Bluetooth is a simple, wireless way to send music from your phone, tablet, or laptop to your home stereo. Its a brilliant streamer, dac, Preamp, bluetooth & Mqa is also there. The CXN v2 upsamples everything to 24/384 when using it in preamp mode. I use Qobuz via a Raspberry Pi running MoOde Audio software. (Not sure if I can get the correct interconnect for my toe though!). Thanks for that. What I was trying to figure out was this: If I were to purchse, for example, a Node and then later add an nDac to it, presumably this would now sound better. I know the node has USB out (if Bluesound have managed to get it working correctly). In some places, it repeats the review of the previous product: CXN V2 still has a wonderful DAC but unfortunately . Hm, lets see what others have to say, but i think any random long usb a to b (there were plenty because of the printers) + an adapter to whatever usb you need should be more than fine. Where did you see that and where does he say it will be compatible with the current CXN series? Bluesound Node (New) When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, Thorens TT (Cant recall the model, its from around 1968 and maybe TD125 or TD150, but I do remember its a MkII !) Qobuz skipping files. So, if I get an MQA capable DAC, can I bypass the Cambridge DAC and get full MQA? #4. I purchased a black one this morning from Music Direct at the reduced price. Not sure how all this would sort out, appreciate advise. Phones /tablets should never go through their internal DACs when connected to an external dac and any player software should tell you where it is sending it to. SpeakerCompare is protected by patents and patent applications owned by Crutchfield Corporation. USB-C on iPada makes the a legit streamer option IMO. USB-C audio and the iPad Pro: Everything you need to know, Cambridge DacMagic vs Cambridge CXN v2 /v3, cambridge streamer cxn v2 USB tracklist error, issue with ECI-2, CXN v2 and external 2.5" HDD, Amplifiers, Phono preamp, and Analog Audio Review, Streamer/Dac Suggestions For AE1 Active's. 19,270. Jul 27, 2020. It doesn't take deep pockets or "golden ears" to obtain and appreciate good sound. I had intended to make an introductory post, in the lounge, but got carried away with myriad questions! All using original Naim interconnects and NAC-A5 cabling to an old pair of Castle Harlech speakers. Copyright 2000-2023 M2N Limited E. & O.E. Mac Mini? JavaScript is disabled. I had the Node 2i for a while and was underwhelmed by their app it does a lot but none of it very well and I found their service a bit meh, but to each their own.