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Sonos Port vs Bluesound Node 2i vs Yamaha WXC-50?

pixelated

pixelated

New Member
Looking to have the ability to stream Spotify to my Yamaha CA-2010 & JBL 4307. These three seem to be the most recommended BT / WIFI options for audiophiles wanting a relatively compact and affordable streamer.

Does anyone have experience with any or all units? Sonos has fantastic software implementation but I have no experience with Bluesound or Yamaha. If possible, I'd prefer to keep to WIFI streaming but also open to suggestions regarding streaming quality in BT 4.1 / 5.0.
 
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I had Sonos and switched to Bluesound. Sonos does have good software, but Bluesound is catching up. Bluesound will handle high-res files (up to 24/192) and will index more tracks than Sonos. Also sounds better in my setup. My primary use is streaming music I've ripped, not music services, though both devices did fine with music services. So, Sonos is maybe a little more user-friendly, but Bluesound is superior in sound quality. No experience with the Yamaha unit.
 
Awesome, thanks for the feedback.

In your opinion (approaching a can of worms here), does utilising a streaming device with a built in DAC such as these alter or degrade a) the recording you’re playing back or b) the output ‘feel’ from your audio setup?
 
On Sonos, I’d add that the new products like the Node are capable of 24/192 when used with the new S2 Sonos software. This makes them more competitive with the likes of the BluSound products. I have the older Sonos products so I can’t vouch for the sound quality of the new stuff.
 
As with everything, it depends. What is your current streaming setup?

I prefer the BS Node over Sonos Connect for the user interface and sound quality. I had Tidal for a bit and the built in DAC unfolded MQA tracks. I have a Yamaha AVR 1070 that has 2 dac chips with Musicast SW and its ok. I got the best experience using digital out from Node 2 to a DAC - in my case either Music Fidelity V90 or Chord. As another FYI, my kids prefer the Blue OS over Roon when they want to DJ. Another FYI, when I switched to Qobuz for higher res tracks, I added mesh wifi as I was seeing some dropouts on the Node, which was on another level from my router. I ended up running a 50' ethernet cable to the Node.
 
I have the WCX-50, but unfortunately, I have never used it with Spotify. I use Blutooth, Airplay, and mainly DLNA with Audirvana (Qobuz/my own library). For those purposes, I love it. That being said, the Bluesound Node 2i has Airplay 2, so if $$ were no object, I would go that route.
 
pixelated said:
Awesome, thanks for the feedback.

In your opinion (approaching a can of worms here), does utilising a streaming device with a built in DAC such as these alter or degrade a) the recording you’re playing back or b) the output ‘feel’ from your audio setup?
Click to expand...

Not sure I completely understand (a) vs. (b) in your question, but I've found the DAC in the Bluesound to be quite respectable and clearly better than the older Sonos Connect (not S2, as W9TR mentions). In the main system, I run the Bluesound coax output to an external DAC and it sounds great.
 
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