The Article
Node 2i Wireless Streamer From Bluesound
12th December 2019
Part of the company’s multi-room project, the Node 2i features a host of wireless technologies that continue to evolve
I’m a bit late off the mark on this one, I know but I’ve been meaning to check out this streamer for some time and failed to get around to it. That said, there is value in splitting from the crowd and producing a later review. Let me tell you why.
Even after the initial launch and the early reviews, I was continually reminded of the 2i’s presence by a stream (pun intended) of updates and enhancements.
Which only proves how committed Bluesound is to this product and how the company sees it as a basis, a platform to build upon.
This one point is very important, deserves to be dwelt upon for a moment and is hardly ever talked about in the media.
Bluesound’s post-launch actions should breed customer confidence, a fragile thing at the best of times.
I don’t know how many products I’ve seen hit the streets with a loud bang, seen lots of early reviews, heard lots of fuss from the attendant company amongst the lights, music and party hats, heard about the plans and the in-house developments only to realise, five minutes afterwards, that the company has dropped the entire product like a hot potato, turned its back upon it a month later and denied it had ever released it after six months.
Not with Bluesound and not with the Node 2i. That’s important if you’re looking to make an investment in this thing. Hence, this review covers a rapidly maturing product.
Benefitting from initial research ploughed, by mutual owner Lenbrook, into the NAD M50.2, the Node 2i is the recipient of thought and time taken. Powered by an ARM Cortex A9 speeding along at 1GHz, you’ll find a 32bit/192kHz DAC inside. On the rear of the chassis, audio inputs include a coax and optical while audio outs include a pair of fixed RCAs, coax/optical, 12V Trigger, subwoofer and – on the front – a headphone socket for a 3.5mm jack.
Digitally? You’ll also find a USB-A at the back which will take USB stick sources and a Type B for servicing.
Internet services include the usual hordes: Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Napster and more. Internet radio is there too.
Most recently, the 2i now supports Amazon Music HD and Ultra HD.
Sound quality has been addressed within the design, just look at the internal isolation between the compact wireless technologies and the basic audio kit for proof of that. Speaking of wireless, that’s dual band (802.11ac) and that comes with Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD, via Qualcomm CSR8675 chip, that runs both ways so you can receive a signal for Bluetooth headphone use, for example.
AirPlay 2 is also included which will aid multi-room set-up, no end. AirPlay 2 also gives you more options for control, including using Siri voice assistance. Amazon and Google Assistant can also be used in this respect too. By grouping a Node 2i with older Bluesound Players in the BluOS App, you can also add AirPlay 2 compatibility to your entire BluOS system.
Finally, the RC1 (£49) remote control should be available now as an additional, alternative control option.
INSTALLATION
Locating and loading BluOS onto my iPhone was easy. Looking for the 2i via my home’s Wi-Fi was a tad difficult. Now, my Wi-Fi is not the fastest or the most reliable so that might be something to do with my location/broadband but the app steadfastly refused to see the machine. During the tests, I actually much preferred attaching the 2i to a wired connection. In my case, I used a high-speed CAT 6a cable for enhanced signal transfer speeds.
If sound quality is everything, you should be running the 2i wired anyway. The latter will produce inherently superior sound quality than a wireless link.
Once the app saw my 2i, it then updated the software automatically. This was a five-stage process which lasted a few minutes only. In the meantime, the 2i produced a red/green flashing light show to indicate that it was receiving the updates. I recommend this action as a first step before use. Getting the late updates may improve usability, compatibility and sound quality.
While I was waiting, I switched on Bluetooth via my phone. The 2i was seen on my phone’s Bluetooth list, immediately. No pairing buttons had to be pressed on the 2i’s chassis.
SOUND QUALITY
Once the All Done! notification flashed on my phone to indicate the completion of the updates, the 2i shone a rather confidant blue light and my app popped up a menu of source choices.
I started with radio via TuneIn and dived into a bit of chat via BBC Radio 4. Chatty radio is often ignored during streamer tests but I actually see it as the most valuable source in the entire test because of vocal tonal nuances and changes in ambience.
For example, I was intrigued to hear tonal differences from three voices. More than that, though, I also successfully heard ambient effects. The latter was actually extremely important in terms of evaluating the 2i’s overall sound quality because the sounds behind the voices or the differences in modulation of the voices because of the room are often some of the most difficult suites of information that a streamer like this can project.
So I heard a studio broadcast chatting about Chinese food. The studio sounded relatively spacious with the microphone at an appreciable distance from the mouth. The guest Chinese chef wasn’t in the studio. It sounded like she was outside on the street with a microphone even further from the mouth. Finally, I heard a continuity announcer. Rich, fruity, obviously sitting in a small, enclosed space with the microphone near to the mouth. The voice full of texture and resonance.
That I heard all of this from a mere streamer was intriguing to say the least. It also proved a point, that the 2i offers a sound quality that is high in detail and clarity, low in noise and with a potent midrange insight. In many ways, this was the most valuable part of the sound test because it revealed just how sensitive the 2i could be in terms of refinement.
I then tried Swissgroove Radio – well, why not? – listened and was impressed with the overall clarity and low noise presentation from this pop/funk track. The soundstage was not only broad but the attendant detail was rich. I noted the fine treble performance, focused yet delicate.
I then switched to Amazon Music and sent a stream of Dua Lipa’s Don’t Start Now via Airplay to the 2i. A still lower noise stream sourced this music, like the TuneIn app above, produced a rock-solid streamed connection without the hint of a break or interruption of any sort.
The quality was very good indeed. Soundstage produced a wide and spacious output with a relatively neutral presentation. Frequencies were disciplined with a rhythmic bass output to drive the music forward.
I then plugged in a USB stick and played jazz via Sonny Rollins’ St Thomas at 24bit/96kHz. Sound quality was admirable. Dynamic reach may have been clipped at the extremes while midrange insight hit a glass ceiling and was a little forward during sax crescendos at high volumes.
That could have been me, though. I was busy using a Wi-Fi extender in my listening room – digital noise from that can have an affect. That said, there was much to like here. I was happy to hear the instrumental separation and how the ear was able to easily pick up either frequency extreme with ease. Hence, the cymbal taps were precise and informative yet the upright bass was never, at any time, masked or hidden by the associated cacophony from the sax and piano. The bass was focused and occupied enough space to create a foundation for the track as a whole.
The midrange focus was an obvious highlight of the music as a whole. The 2i was able to dig deep into the mix to reveal everything. The lot. No piece of information was left on the studio floor. The 2i offer nothing if not musical value here.
I then looked at Bluetooth via my phone. Pushing a Paul McCartney track, My Valentine, via a lossy file to the 2i, I was happy with the overall playback. Yes, the inherent file type lacked finesse and detail while the 2i repeated that slight forward element at high volumes in the upper mids (nothing harsh you understand, it’s subtle although it is there) but the overall sound was fairly neutral and balanced with no obvious nasties to make you wince. Bluetooth can sometimes produce an edgy and brittle playback, especially via a lossy file but the 2i performed well here, giving a rather civilised presentation. Instrumental separation was satisfyingly implemented meaning that space was able to infuse the soundstage and in between each instrument, adding a relatively full and wholesome tone to the music.
CONCLUSION
Compact, well built, fully featured and easy to use, what’s not to like? The price is spot on. I’m more than happy with the sound quality, especially at this price point. The Node 2i tackled all sources – whatever their stripe – with aplomb. Whether they be streamed from devices, over the Internet or plugged in directly, this Swiss Army knife of a streamer maintains a high quality of sound across the board. A brilliant little box and no mistake.
BLUESOUND NODE 2i WIRELESS STREAMER Price: £499 Website: www.bluesound.com TO BUY CLICK BELOW: UK - https://amzn.to/3mQGAN3 USA - https://amzn.to/38gUTXd EUROPE - https://amzn.to/34RzfXn
GOOD: build, features, overall sound quality, easy to set up
BAD: nothing
RATING: 8
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REFERENCE
Arcam rPlay
Tellurium Blue Cables
Paul, can you elaborate further on this comment: “If sound quality is everything, you should be running the 2i wired anyway. The latter will produce inherently superior sound quality than a wireless link.”
I run my 2i wireless using 802.11ac to my router. 802.11ac is capable of anywhere from 400Mbps to 1Gbps speeds which is much more than the 1.5Mbps required for high-res/MQA streaming. So I’m not understanding how a wired connection can produce superior sound quality unless you have a very poor wireless connection/signal strength. Or is there an impact on the internal sound circuitry of the 2i if the wireless chipset is in use? Interested to hear the reasoning behind your comment. I’m tempted to run a wired connection now to compare!
Hi Nish – it’s not a black and white issue. It depends on the product and the underlying system and the engineers behind the tech. For most lower quality hi-fi and I mean budget level like the 2i, the issue is noise. Wi-Fi, because of what it does and how it does it and how it interacts with resident hardware on your component and the associated components lying nearby, creates noise for a host of reasons. I can certainly hear it. It gets in the way of the music. Most of the time, wired is quieter in terms of sonics (again, wired can be noisy if it’s not designed correctly and you use poor cabling). But…if you pile time, money and expertise into a quality Wi-Fi system then sure, the latter can sound lovely.
To give you a tangential example, it’s like stuffing a phono amp into an integrated amp box, 99% of the time it’ll sound very poor. Yet Moon, for example, spent time money and effort on this issue and have produced a superb all-in-one digital hub with a built in phono amp that sounds lovely. But the whole thing costs ¬£5k: https://theaudiophileman.com/390-network-preamp-streamer-review-digital/
Hi Paul,
I’ve read your review and many others and have decided that a Bluesound front end will give me all the functionality I need for a very reasonable outlay. I have 2 options for my money (approx ¬£1500).
Node 2i and Acoustic Energy AE1 Actives
or
Powernode 2i and £600 speakers (recomendations welcome)
Main usage would be Tidal HiFi/MQA and occasionally Asset UPnP but I’ll probably give Qobuz a go as well.
Many thanks,
John
Hi John – the 2i and AE speakers would be ideal.
Many thanks Paul, being honest that’s the option I hoped you would suggest.
Keep well
John
Hi Paul,
Another question if I may.
Before I take the plunge could you advise me on how the Node 2i/AE1 Active combo would compare to either the Kef LSX or LS50W in terms of sound character and quality?
To give you some idea of what I like, the rich and detailed character of my Naim system (172/250.2/Concept 40s)) is preferable to the detailed but very dry sound I hear from a Linn system. I did have a 5 minute listen to a B&W Formation Duo setup and was impressed but of course they are way out of my budget.
If VFM is a consideration, I’ve been offered some ex dem LSX for ¬£700 and LS50W for ¬£1700 but I cannot hear them at home before buying.
Thanks and regards,
John
Both are very good indeed and if you have a hankering for either then I’m sure you’ll be happy with those, especially if you want to also set them up in a near field fashion. For me? I’d still lean towards the AE speakers. Try and get a home demo on these, if will help to settle any thoughts you may be having re. speaker choice.
Hi Paul,
Hope you’re holding up fine in these difficult times. I was wondering what do you think of this combo: Chord Qutest Dac, Bluesound Node 2i as a streamer/preamplifier and the XTZ Edge A2-300 power amp?? Many thanks
I think you’d still need a pre in the middle of the DAC and Edge. Maybe something suitable from Schiit?
I think that’s settled it for me thanks Paul, I’ll arrange a home demo of the AE1’s as soon as I can.
Best regards
John
Thanks Paul, any suggestions for the Schiit preamp?
Do you have a budget figure please?
A maximum of 500 euro. Thanks
I’d look at the Saga Plus, Ionut.
Thank you sir
Paul
How would you rate it against the Yamaha wxc 50 in term of sound quality ?
Hi Roger – I’d go for the 2i.
Hi Paul,
Would you consider a pre/power amp combo i.e the schiit saga Plus and the xtz edge A2-300 a better option than the audiolab 6000A, soundwise??? Thanks
Yes – separating the pre and power is always an attractive move to lower noise.