Node 2i > Integrated vs AVR > Integrated

[Wood]

Thanks to @Hytram I now have a M5Si in my system. 
Currently it’s serving as a power amp only - being fed by the L&R pre outs of my Yamaha RX-V1085. 
 

The only way I’m able to play music is streaming to my AVR.

I don’t have a CD player or TT. 

 

So my question is, will the Node 2i be a significant step up in sound quality  as a streamer/DAC into the M5Si vs what they Yamaha has to offer?

 

Speakers are Q950s but when they sell will become R3s. 
 

Also I should mention I subscribe to Apple Music and don’t have plans to switch to Spotify or Tidal, so any Bluesound App benefits aren’t that relevant. 

[Hytram]

If I may.. 

 

NAD C658, going to cost you double but with Dirac and that Amp, I reakon.. Wow! 

 

The Yamaha is now the weakest link. 

 

A quick experiment is plug a PC or laptop USB out into the DAC of the M5Si will give you a indication of what the Yamaha is doing. 

 

The Yamaha will produce quite a nice background music sound when you tweak it.. But for critical listening, anything like the the Node2i up should be better.. 

 

Anywhere sell them with a no question money back policy? 

[betty boop]

1 hour ago, Wood said:

Thanks to @Hytram I now have a M5Si in my system. 
Currently it’s serving as a power amp only - being fed by the L&R pre outs of my Yamaha RX-V1085. 
 

The only way I’m able to play music is streaming to my AVR.

I don’t have a CD player or TT. 

 

So my question is, will the Node 2i be a significant step up in sound quality  as a streamer/DAC into the M5Si vs what they Yamaha has to offer?

 

Speakers are Q950s but when they sell will become R3s. 
 

Also I should mention I subscribe to Apple Music and don’t have plans to switch to Spotify or Tidal, so any Bluesound App benefits aren’t that relevant. 

dont really wanting to be running with the L&R pre outs from the yam. thats a shame as not really benefitting with the better pre and along stage of the m5Si

 

certainly try node 2i into the musical fidelity that ways using analog out the node and analog stage and pre stage of the musical fidelity.

 

longer term consider a stand alone dac so digital out the node and then analog out the dac to feed your integrated

 

 

[Wood]

9 hours ago, Hytram said:

If I may.. 

 

NAD C658, going to cost you double but with Dirac and that Amp, I reakon.. Wow! 

 

The Yamaha is now the weakest link. 

 

A quick experiment is plug a PC or laptop USB out into the DAC of the M5Si will give you a indication of what the Yamaha is doing. 

 

The Yamaha will produce quite a nice background music sound when you tweak it.. But for critical listening, anything like the the Node2i up should be better.. 

 

Anywhere sell them with a no question money back policy? 

The NAD is an impressive unit, but not in the budget at the moment.

 

Good idea on connecting a computer to the M5Si’s DAC! Will definitely do that comparison. 

[Wood]

8 hours ago, betty boop said:

dont really wanting to be running with the L&R pre outs from the yam. thats a shame as not really benefitting with the better pre and along stage of the m5Si

 

certainly try node 2i into the musical fidelity that ways using analog out the node and analog stage and pre stage of the musical fidelity.

 

longer term consider a stand alone dac so digital out the node and then analog out the dac to feed your integrated

 

 

Objectively speaking, is the Node 2i worth the premium over something like the Yamaha WXC-50. I’m less concerned about features and their associated apps and more focussed on sound quality. 

Edited December 5, 2019 by Wood

[betty boop]

1 hour ago, Wood said:

Objectively speaking, is the Node 2i worth the premium over something like the Yamaha WXC-50. I’m less concerned about features and their associated apps and more focussed on sound quality. 

only IF you are using its analog outs. if happy enough with a yam wxc-50 and ok with using its analog outs then id get a separate dac and choose between either the Yamaha or the node 2i

 

as to which is better and planning to use their analog outs well that would be a gamble and unless comparing the both to decide, i wouldnt be game to suggest. the node 2 or 2i is decent through analog but can be improved with a dac am sure the yam wxc is similar that ways   

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

3 hours ago, Wood said:

The NAD is an impressive unit, but not in the budget at the moment.

Short answer is yes it will out perfom the Yammy.

 

What is the budget? IF its around the RRP of the Node 2i id almost suggest going to a musiccast/node 2 and getting an external DAC for that money.

 

One things almost certain, you will want to add an external DAC in the future so maybe try and do that now.

 

If the USB input and DAC in the MF is impressive, you could also look to use that and get a streamer wth USB output, Auralic Aries mini comes to mind, but starting wth a PC is a great idea.

 

 

[Wood]

48 minutes ago, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

Short answer is yes it will out perfom the Yammy.

 

What is the budget? IF its around the RRP of the Node 2i id almost suggest going to a musiccast/node 2 and getting an external DAC for that money.

 

One things almost certain, you will want to add an external DAC in the future so maybe try and do that now.

 

If the USB input and DAC in the MF is impressive, you could also look to use that and get a streamer wth USB output, Auralic Aries mini comes to mind, but starting wth a PC is a great idea.

 

 

Unless I’m mistaken, I need the 2i which supports AirPlay 2 because I subscribe to Apple Music and don’t have plans to change in the short term. 
 

Yes I’ve been considering a computer connected via USB to the M5’s DAC. 

A second hand Mac Mini should do the job quite well. 

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

26 minutes ago, Wood said:

Unless I’m mistaken, I need the 2i which supports AirPlay 2 because I subscribe to Apple Music and don’t have plans to change in the short term. 
 

Yes I’ve been considering a computer connected via USB to the M5’s DAC. 

A second hand Mac Mini should do the job quite well. 

Not sure whether you can add Apple Music to bluos and run it through the bluos app but would be worth confirming 

 

if it’s just airplay 2 you are Looking to use I probably wouldn’t pay a premium for the node 2i, a nice dac and an airport express as transport (latest version) will give you the same effect.

[Wood]

2 hours ago, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

Not sure whether you can add Apple Music to bluos and run it through the bluos app but would be worth confirming 

 

if it’s just airplay 2 you are Looking to use I probably wouldn’t pay a premium for the node 2i, a nice dac and an airport express as transport (latest version) will give you the same effect.

I didn’t know the Airport Express was still made. 

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

Just now, Wood said:

I didn’t know the Airport Express was still made. 

its not, would need to go second hand but can be had for sub $100 easily.