Hi,
This is my current set-up...
*Exposure 2010S Series V2 integrated amp
*Exposure 2010S Series V2 CD player
*Magnum Dynalab MD90 analog FM tuner
*Benchmark H-1 headphone amplifier
*Pro-Ject Dock Box S Digital Apple dock
*Bluesound Node 2 connected wirelessly to my home router
*Bowers & Wilkins 705 two-way monitor/bookshelf speakers
*Bowers & Wilkins ASW700 subwoofer connected to PRE-OUT, generally set to volume 40% and low-pass freq. ≈ 70Hz to support where the 705s low end bass response falls off
I bought the Node 2 to stream Tidal HiFi lossless and, after two weeks, I am very pleased with it (even with Tidal’s kludgy interface and “dumb search” function that doesn’t tolerate any typos or misspellings.) While I haven’t yet had time to do A/B tests to dig into the subtleties, based on streaming a couple of very familiar tracks that I also own on CD, my impression is that the sound is very close. A few Node 2 users/reviewers have written online, however, that while the Node’s internal DAC is no slouch, there is a noticeable improvement to be had using an external DAC – not surprising giving the Node’s price point.
Given a limited upgrade budget, I’ve come across three DACs that interest me… a store demo Exposure 2010S2 ($550), a factory refurbished Benchmark DAC1 ($675), and a factory refurbished Benchmark DAC1 HDR ($1,150).
Given my system, I would appreciate any thoughts on using the Node 2 with or without an external DAC, how those three DACs might compare with one another, and whether there would be any advantage in connecting my Exposure CD player to an external DAC as well – particularly Exposure’s own DAC.
Thanks!
Hi,
This is my current set-up...
*Exposure 2010S Series V2 integrated amp
*Exposure 2010S Series V2 CD player
*Magnum Dynalab MD90 analog FM tuner
*Benchmark H-1 headphone amplifier
*Pro-Ject Dock Box S Digital Apple dock
*Bluesound Node 2 connected wirelessly to my home router
*Bowers & Wilkins 705 two-way monitor/bookshelf speakers
*Bowers & Wilkins ASW700 subwoofer connected to PRE-OUT, generally set to volume 40% and low-pass freq. ≈ 70Hz to support where the 705s low end bass response falls off
I bought the Node 2 to stream Tidal HiFi lossless and, after two weeks, I am very pleased with it (even with Tidal’s kludgy interface and “dumb search” function that doesn’t tolerate any typos or misspellings.) While I haven’t yet had time to do A/B tests to dig into the subtleties, based on streaming a couple of very familiar tracks that I also own on CD, my impression is that the sound is very close. A few Node 2 users/reviewers have written online, however, that while the Node’s internal DAC is no slouch, there is a noticeable improvement to be had using an external DAC – not surprising giving the Node’s price point.
Given a limited upgrade budget, I’ve come across three DACs that interest me… a store demo Exposure 2010S2 ($550), a factory refurbished Benchmark DAC1 ($675), and a factory refurbished Benchmark DAC1 HDR ($1,150).
Given my system, I would appreciate any thoughts on using the Node 2 with or without an external DAC, how those three DACs might compare with one another, and whether there would be any advantage in connecting my Exposure CD player to an external DAC as well – particularly Exposure’s own DAC.
Thanks!