Gone and done it! - Bluesound Node

[LR Miller]

After much deliberation and hand-wringing I have bought a QNAP NAS device and a Bluesound Node music player. For the time being I will keep the Audiolab 8000A until funds permit something more modern.

Setting up the QNAS I found to be a pain in the arris possibly because I am not that 'puter savvy. Setting up and integrating the Node was a lot easier though.

Not had time to have a proper listening session with it yet but have every hope that it will sound great. The tablet control app is fun too!

 

[LR Miller]

Well, what a good choice I made; compaired to the 5 yr old DacMagic the Node replaces, the differences are easily discernable. The sound stage is wider, the positioning of instruments is more precise, the treble is clearer and more detailed. The bass is also tightened up and more controlled. It also has a better sense of rhythm than the DacMagic.

I am very happy and am looking forward to playing some other music files (these are a mixture of 16/44 rips and 24/96 FLAC)

 

[Leeps]

Can I ask, how do you find the user interface of the control app?

What's good about it? What doesn't work so well? Is it fairly robust or is it a bit glitchy? Do you use any streaming services within the app? How do they work?

 

[LR Miller]

Can I ask, how do you find the user interface of the control app?

What's good about it? What doesn't work so well? Is it fairly robust or is it a bit glitchy? Do you use any streaming services within the app? How do they work?

Hi Leeps, it's the first control app I have used and have nothing to compare it against, but after an initial 15 minutes or so playing around with it I find it easy enough to use. I like the ability to see track details etc. but I guess most apps like this will do a similar thing?

Artwork-wise you are limited to the 'cover picture', incidentaly a handfull of artworks have not transferred over though the jpegs appear to be contained within the music file; not sure if this is a bug in the app or something to do with the NAS.

I reckon an update a couple of days ago has altered track selection operation; before the update one appeared to be able to change tracks at a whim merely by double touching the artwork but now everything seems to be added to a playlist so to change albums you have to clear the current playlist first. I suppose it is no big deal, just a couple of more 'taps' on the screen.

I use TuneIn occasionally (but see myself using it more in the future) to access stations from around the globe; dead easy to use and the quality of streamed content impresses me.

Hope this helps

 

[Leeps]

Thanks for your comment. Having just got into Tidal streaming, and really loving its quality, I'm considering using a Node as my primary music source, with the benefits of internet radio and future multi-room applications. It'll also save my iPad's battery life!

But it has to work properly, so your comment's encouraging.

 

[Jonathan Tafler]

I am fairly convinced I shall be purchasing a Bluesound device - but I am unsure whether to go for a Vault or. Node with separate NAS - probably a Synology with 2x 3TB. As you went the NAS route and found it "a pain up the arris" at first, I am wondering if your experience improved, or if you might choose the simplicity of the Vault another time?

 

[cheeseboy]

unless qnap have improved, generally the synology operating system is a lot easier to navigate and set up and change. Mind you, if you're just using it as a simple way to serve up files, once it's up and running one shouldn't really need to to touch it after that.

 

[Jonathan Tafler]

I am reading that if you use load a NAS with CDs ripped using iTunes you don't get artwork etc on the Bluesound app which is array. But a hard drive in a sealed box (vault) seems to me like a dodgy purchase.