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March 18, 2017 - 1:37am
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Cambridge BT100 for CXN or Bluesound Node 2?
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The Bluesound node has more streaming services and is a great device. My question though is what are you attaching? I assume with Bluetooth you are intending to stream from a phone or tablet? If yes, is it an apple device? The reason I ask is that your current device is equipped with AirPlay which can stream up to CD resolution from any Apple Device. I use it all the time.
The Bluesound Node is great if you are going to take advantage of those other streaming services but unless you plan on switching away from Spotify, not sure how it will help you. I have a couple devices that are older and support Rhapsody and Napster. Not really helpful these days.
I was talking to my Ayre dealer about Bluetooth vs AirPlay and my understanding is that although there is weird compression with Bluetooth, the latest versions (which the BT-100 Supports) are effectively lossless. He was of the opinion that the newer Bluetooth would kill AirPlay because it sounds as good, is very easy to use and works with Android and iOS. Can't disagree with him but for the next few years there will likely be dual support. The only issue you would face is if you stream anything that is higher than CD Quality then neither service really works and you need to stream files off a NAS or a computer.
The issue is MQA.
The Bluesound Node 2 comes with an MQA decoder..
Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group, which make up 75% of the recorded music industry, have committed to MQA. So have Sony, Onkyo, NAD, and others.
IMO any unit that does not have an MQA decoder will be effectively obsolete within 2 years.
Thanks guys.
I would be streaming from Galaxy Note 5 and my laptop. At the moment I either plug in headphones ( through a little Fiio Andes portable headphone amp ) or to a cheap bluetooth speaker. When I am out and about, I have earbuds and the sound quality is just ok ( even with the Fiio attached ) but I would feel a little silly wearing a " proper " set of headphones walking around the mall, Walmart, grocery store...etc as I am not a teenager.
Now that I have purchased higher end components, I am spoiled with much, much, much better sound quality so would like to make use of the better components I have. If I can add a component that can stream the music from my laptop and phone at the same ( or near enough ) quality as my current set-up, then that has to be better than what I am using at the moment.
Dunno if it helps but the Note 5 has these specs:MP4/DivX/XviD/WMV/H.264 player
- MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+/FLAC player
Just did a quick read up on MQA. I think commsysman is right. Looks like MQA is the way to go so the Node 2 makes more sense to buy.
You guys are the best!
Thanks
David
Hey guys,
the Node 2 arrived a couple days ago. Absolute breeze to set up. Sound quality is amazing. Very happy.
Thanks for your input again guys. Much appreciated.
David