[RolandButcher]

I have used my Sonos Connect for over a decade to stream Rhapsody, MOG, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, and Qobuz.  I use the coax out to connect to a decent DAC/Pre.  I don't care about the Sonos' DAC.  I don't care about its multi-room functionality.  I use it because it always works, it is always being upgraded, my wife and kids can use it easily, and I can stream my preferred music service of the month.  But, with Qobuz now streaming up to 24/192 - and Sonos still stuck at 16/44, even with its latest offerings - I'm looking outside the Sonos ecosystem for the first time.  The Bluesound NODE 2i is an obvious option, but I am wondering if there are other products at that $550 or under price point that would be a better or cheaper option.  With the caveat that it needs to be bombproof and family-friendly.  Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

[Stu Pitt]

I bought a Bluesound Node 2 (not 2i) refurbished from Safe and Sound for about $350 a month or so ago. Zero complaints, and my wife and 6 and 8 year old daughters haven’t had any issues with using it either. I use the iPhone app. I don’t have any streaming services, so I can’t comment. I use my iTunes library on an external drive connected to my main computer. I was an idiot with the initial setup, so I had to reset it 3 times before I followed the instructions 

I’ve played around with the Sonos stuff, and it’s not radically different. Looks different and some differences exist, but nothing make or break. If you can use one, I highly doubt you can’t use the other.

I run coax to a Rega DAC to a Bryston B60. Sounds great to my ears.

https://www.safeandsoundhq.com/products/bluesound-node-2-streaming-music-player-with-wifi-and-bluetooth-factory-refurbished?_pos=5&_sid=8df1de7d3&_ss=r

[RolandButcher]

Thanks! I see that some places are selling the NODE 2 (not 2i) for $400 new as well.

[Stu Pitt]

Bluesound has them on their website for $400 as well. I went the refurbished route, figuring why not save another $50.

[toocool4]

I would say go and try the Bluesound NODE 2i with your Qobuz 24/192 and compare it to the sound of your Sonos 16/44, if you can hear the difference change if not save your money. You and your family are already familiar and happy with the Sonos, so why change just because you can now run 24/192 if you can't hear the difference why bother?

[revrob]

I recommend and use Bluesound products.

[Tom Bombadil]

Are you planning on paying the $25/mo it takes to get 24/192 via Qobuz? 

Every tier under that should sound the same through the Sonos.   

I don't know how much of the Qobuz library is stored in true 24/192.

[richidoo]

I just went back to Sonos Connect after trying Roon / SOtM for a couple years. I was relieved to have the simplicty and reliability of Sonos back and to get rid of the continual minor technical problems. I don't care about hi rez files, as there aren't enough of them in the genres I like. For me, redbook resolution from Tidal HiFi is good enough. I added iFi Purifier  between Sonos and DAC which makes a very noticeable improvement with my DAC because the Sonos jitter is rather high, but the reliability is most important to me. I'm sure BlueSound is just as good, I've only heard good things about if for a long time.

[RolandButcher]

I would say go and try the Bluesound NODE 2i with your Qobuz 24/192 and compare it to the sound of your Sonos 16/44, if you can hear the difference change if not save your money. You and your family are already familiar and happy with the Sonos, so why change just because you can now run 24/192 if you can't hear the difference why bother?

Great suggestion, thanks

[RolandButcher]

I just went back to Sonos Connect after trying Roon / SOtM for a couple years. I was relieved to have the simplicty and reliability of Sonos back and to get rid of the continual minor technical problems. I don't care about hi rez files, as there aren't enough of them in the genres I like. For me, redbook resolution from Tidal HiFi is good enough. I added iFi Purifier  between Sonos and DAC which makes a very noticeable improvement with my DAC because the Sonos jitter is rather high, but the reliability is most important to me. I'm sure BlueSound is just as good, I've only heard good things about if for a long time.

Yes my Sonos Connect feeds into a Synchro-Mesh Reclocker before the PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC for the same reason. Maybe squeezing the most out of 16/44 is the way to go.  I'll may still try a Bluesound NODE 2i with Qobuz and return it if I can't tell much of a difference. 

[RolandButcher]

Bluesound has them on their website for $400 as well. I went the refurbished route, figuring why not save another $50.

The website you shared has refurbished 2is for $420 which is a $130 off of retail. That is a solid deal.

[RolandButcher]

Are you planning on paying the $25/mo it takes to get 24/192 via Qobuz? 

Every tier under that should sound the same through the Sonos.   

I don't know how much of the Qobuz library is stored in true 24/192.

Good point - I’m not sure how much they have above 16/44. Right now I am in a trial period. So we shall see if it’s worth the higher $$

[RolandButcher]

https://www.stereophile.com/content/qobuz-lowers-pricing-other-streaming-services-respond

New York, NY. On November 8, at the very small New York Audio Show, Paris-based music streaming service Qobuz announced that it has streamlined its subscription plans, lowered prices, and discontinued MP3 streaming. At a press event, Dan Mackta, Managing Director of Qobuz USA, said that Qobuz now offers “Studio Premier” subscriptions for $14.99/month or $149.99 for a full year. Studio Premier grants subscribers unlimited access to Qobuz’s catalog of more than 50 million CD-quality tracks and millions of hi-rez tracks up to 24/192. Qobuz will continue to offer its “Sublime+” plan ($249.99/year), which includes streaming access plus a “substantial” discount for hi-rez download purchases from the Qobuz store. The service’s other plans have been eliminated.
Such a move has been anticipated since September 17, when Amazon Music launched its Amazon Music HD service with a game-changing $14.99 subscription price ($12.99 for Amazon Prime members).

Qobuz’s new rate is only available to the first 100,000 new subscribers. In response to questions from Stereophile, Mackta affirmed that Qobuz is counting new subscribers, and that current subscribers who switch to Studio Premier will not be included in the count. While he doesn’t know what Qobuz’s baseline rate will be once the 100,000-subscriber threshold is reached, he promised that the Studio Premiere subscription price will not increase after the first year.

[JLM]

No one in my small audio club has hi-res and more and more we're all moving to streaming (also allows us to hear familiar music on other systems).  I'm not one to re-buy higher resolution formats and with so little new material of interest to me, probably will never go hi-res unless it comes from streaming service for the same price.

Note that I have a NAD M10 "streaming amplifier" (a couple of steps up from Node) and love it.  Thoroughly modern, full featured, stable, easy to use, and sounds great.

[witchdoctor]

I have a Node which I like very much for MQA lsitenting. If you want MQA I would go that route. If you don't I would recommend going with DTS Playfi ecosystem and start with the Paradigm PW Link. The link will play hirez files but more importantly comes with ARC room correction. IMO ARC will bring MUCH more sonic benefits than going from 44 to 192 file format. AND its on sale!! I use both the Bluos and playfi software and actually prefer the playfi but they are both good.

https://www.paradigm.com/en/wireless/pw-link

[saeyedoc]

I don't understand how that Paradigm device can apply ARC. Doesn't it need to implement filters using your preamp or receiver? I use it on my Anthem MRX 720 and it works great. The Play-Fi is on it also which does work well most of the time, but I've had some stuttering on the higher resolution stuff on Qobuz, I'm connected with ethernet to a very high speed router.

[witchdoctor]

I don't understand how that Paradigm device can apply ARC. Doesn't it need to implement filters using your preamp or receiver? I use it on my Anthem MRX 720 and it works great. The Play-Fi is on it also which does work well most of the time, but I've had some stuttering on the higher resolution stuff on Qobuz, I'm connected with ethernet to a very high speed router.

Try reading this review and it might answer your questions. if not you can download the user manual on paradigms website:

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/paradigm-premium-wireless-multiroom-audio-system-review

[saeyedoc]

"Try reading this review and it might answer your questions. if not you can download the user manual on paradigms website:"

Thanks, it's not completely clear, but I guess that little unit has built in DSP? Interesting.

[RolandButcher]

Thanks witchdoctor - the Paradigm PW Link is an interesting option at $200 (sale price) - particularly with its ARC room correction (it comes with a mic).

Here is the audio science review FWIW: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-paradigm-pw-link-streamer-dac.7763/

Here is the manual: https://www.paradigm.com/index.php?controller=attachment&id_attachment=209&display=inline

[saeyedoc]

Thanks for the link to that review, that explains it better.