Bluesound Node Nano vs Wiim Ultra

[cafe67]

Have to admit, these 2 products are rekindling my interest in streaming  ( cheaply) again. 

 

Bluesound NODE NANO will be available end August 2024 for $499 RRP while the Ultra jumps to $599.

 

big bonuses for me is they both do wifi  ( easier for me than Ethernet due to distance) and both ( finally for Wiim) can hook up external USB drive. ( which for me in probably the most important thing - to be able to play downloads easily via usb drive) found the below on the wiim support. 

 

“Hi Team - The WiiM Ultra can supply up to 5V and 1.7A power to an external USB disk. Please ensure this is sufficient for your external USB disk. Regarding drive size, it supports the maximum size allowed by the NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT file systems.”

 

the nano gets brownie points for being smaller and easy to hide away, while perhaps the Ultra looks cooler if more noticeable.
 

The Ultra has a few features, I’m not that fussed about (phono stage, arc hdmi), but the $100 difference isn't really a killer either - may boil down to the better sound or better app. ( I did have an original Node and did find the setup and app buggy and temperamental- I’m guessing thing have progressed since ten) 

 

too early to sound comparisons, but as streaming for me would be a third behind records and cds -  not that bigger deal and I could always plug either into my H590 via coaxial. 
 

fun times indeed 

 

https://content-bluesound-com.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2024/08/Bluesound-NODE-NANO-Owners-Manual.pdf

 

https://wiim.attachments2.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/72105104826/original/WiiM Ultra User Manual.pdf?response-content-type=application%2Fpdf&Expires=1724507433&Signature=FqePEeCV6PdIkmVdo~~huEUf9xvIT7MkJFs-3nBGneompoRYMXUUjVJ3NGfE00iQ-BXLNx4SoguM2kLXcqZxaUAxYDhZEY7b~srWXPqGKpVWFz4i3G7c0hfTGV90GkYMH~t-A1OSCKxJOb3-TdAuU69cVdWBmLSsSbFHNYPNnxjm3pgKyWzAZC143aw-w0BoBxX~kBzXlNWWui2pK2~30b-u6DXs501T3yilkUJMxK8tnam3NPrTN1gx38JcFzQ4EozkXj54fJ2oODkY7VKlDCZXN30pNrRdqpLdIO9pDJ1FiqT2KGonBh8W2IHjDNMux6f1b-DrwZTRRs49ICkLpw__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJ7JARUX3F6RQIXLA

 

 

 

 

Edited August 24, 2024 by cafe67

[Hydrology]

To be honest right now you could get a Wiim Pro Plus and just hook it up to the Hegel via coax as the Ultra wouldn't offer anything more than you need as you mention. Knowing your system well, I actually think the addition of a screen (and the gun metal finish of the Utra) would detract from the look. The Pro Plus is just a well made boring black box, as is the Node Nano!

With the Pro Plus, if you get heavily bitten b y the streaming bug it will be easy to move on if you choose to go up the food chain of streaming.

 

 

[cafe67]

4 minutes ago, Hydrology said:

To be honest right now you could get a Wiim Pro Plus and just hook it up to the Hegel via coax as the Ultra wouldn't offer anything more than you need as you mention. Knowing your system well, I actually think the addition of a screen (and the gun metal finish of the Utra) would detract from the look. The Pro Plus is just a well made boring black box, as is the Node Nano!

With the Pro Plus, if you get heavily bitten b y the streaming bug it will be easy to move on if you choose to go up the food chain of streaming.

 

 

yes good points , the only issue I have with the Pro plus is no ability to hook up an external usb hardrive drive ? 

[Hydrology]

2 minutes ago, cafe67 said:

yes good points , the only issue I have with the Pro plus is no ability to hook up an external usb hardrive drive ? 

Yes sorry I was focussing on the streaming part of your post only! I would probably go the Bluseound (even though I own a Pro Plus).

 

But, it would be worth playing with the software on both before making a decision - very important!

[Snoopy8]

7 hours ago, cafe67 said:

ability to hook up an external usb hardrive drive ? 

Please note that drawing power for an external USB drive may impact SQ.  Better to use an externally powered USB drive or a solid state drive (or USB stick).

 

7 hours ago, Hydrology said:

But, it would be worth playing with the software on both before making a decision - very important!

Agree App is important.

 

And BluOS is well supported, with regular updates.

[cafe67]

Well, dipping my toes into the stream again. Bought a Node Nano and finally got around to installing it today.

 

I decided on the Nano , as it’s one of the cheaper options ( I have looked at other more expensive options), it’s not my only source , it’s unobtrusive and it can hook up an external drive. 

 

The BluOS seems well regarded these days and I didn’t have any real probs today with installing it. 

 

Quality of packaging pretty well put together. Lack of manual over than a quick start guide still annoying as even this as a lot of tech and features in it. Installation was pretty straight forward, couple of “it is doing anything” moment during but otherwise good. 
 

For starters I have connected it to H590 via coaxial cable, which seemed the simplest way to me. Tho I will also try using the inbuilt dac and rca. Interestingly I can also connect to h590 via optical or to my SA10 either via coax/optical. 

 

Sound wise at the moment, I’m just playing flac files via a 1TB thumb drive I bought and I have to say initial listen straight out of the box pretty darn positive - plenty of detail , the sound stage seems good and it’s not bright. I’ll have to do some more listening and try comparing to other sources. But so far pretty impressed.

 

Also many thanks Mark & Simon at Douglas hifi  answering all my questions and inquiries over the purchase.

Edited September 13, 2024 by cafe67

[Snoopy8]

Congrats, and welcome to the streaming world.  

 

Curious to know whether you will be using a streaming service?

 

You should also try USB.  Does not have to be expensive and my recommendation is ViaBlue (which beat the Audio quest range!) and supposed to be available locally?

https://www.maxmedia.com.au/viablue

 

Or from here

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/usb-cables-hubs/viablue-kr-2-silver-usb-a-cable-male-usb-b-male-plated-gold-15-m-p-6547.html?srsltid=AfmBOop5OdJo8lzNh_QdjD-aVMq-Z2aUbqXWl4uKVwVxeP7h4M0ASy_V

 

[cafe67]

23 minutes ago, Snoopy8 said:

Congrats, and welcome to the streaming world.  

 

Curious to know whether you will be using a streaming service?

 

You should also try USB.  Does not have to be expensive and my recommendation is ViaBlue (which beat the Audio quest range!) and supposed to be available locally?

https://www.maxmedia.com.au/viablue

 

Or from here

https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/usb-cables-hubs/viablue-kr-2-silver-usb-a-cable-male-usb-b-male-plated-gold-15-m-p-6547.html?srsltid=AfmBOop5OdJo8lzNh_QdjD-aVMq-Z2aUbqXWl4uKVwVxeP7h4M0ASy_V

 

hiya and thanks

 

at the moment , I don’t have any streaming services that I’m subscribed too other than basic Spotify ( I think) - I probably will look at something - I guess either Tidal or Qobuz ? 
 

must admit I’m not up on the whole streaming thing ( no objections to it, just something I’ve never really followed up - I’ve got pretty of records and cds to keep me happy, but I’m glad to be able to play some of the better downloads ( thanks Bandcamp) that I have

 

. USB   - the only problem is the node only has the one USB and that got my thumb drive attached. Sound via the coaxial cable ( I’m using an Aurealis Audio) sounds good and I think from memory coaxial is preferred over Optical ?
 

 

[Snoopy8]

38 minutes ago, cafe67 said:

at the moment , I don’t have any streaming services that I’m subscribed too other than basic Spotify ( I think) - I probably will look at something - I guess either Tidal or Qobuz ? 

You will be on the free basic Spotify service.

 

I voted with my wallet and switched over to Qobuz at the time when Tidal were at their arrogant worse with MQA.  A number of us feel that Qobuz has better SQ than Tidal.

 

 forgot your USB port was tied up! 

 

Enjoy...

[DazzS]

I've been considering getting an ultra as a better streamer and dac/preamp for my yamaha avr (rx-v4a). Does the node function as a preamp as well? If so, what source inputs does it have?