Thoughts On BlueSound Node 2i
 

Thinking on this one. What I'd like to do is move the HP computer to the office so that my spouse can use it as a work station for her job since she's been working from home quite a bit.

Ideally, I'd like to be able to access the files I have on the HP, or on the 4TB backup drive that I have, and from what I can tell the BlueSound device just might fit the bill.

In the current setup I'm using JRiver on the PC via a USB cable into the McIntosh. What do I need to know on how this would work on a totally analog rig?

Ideas,...?

I have a Node 2i that I really enjoy streaming Qobuz on. I like the Bluesound software and find it pretty user friendly and intuitive.

I believe you could use your 4TB drive plugged into the Bluesound usb. Once the software reads the files from the drive, they'll appear in the Bluesound app.

I use a 1TB flash drive like this. The tagging of files and file structure of the drive effect how the Bluesound software displays your music in the app. I had to go through and make corrections to tags and art to some of my files to get them to display correctly. It turns out that automatic tagging when ripping isn't always consistent.

As long as 4TB is within spec of the Node 2i, you should be able to use it. Note that Bluesound doesn't play DSD.

The best sound I've gotten out of the Node 2i is with a Blue Jeans 1694a coax digital cable to my disc player and using an Acoustic Revive Power Standard triple-C power cable I ordered from Amazon Japan. Best bang for the buck component I've had, I think.

I just got one to use as a Qobuz streamer for a headphone amp. I haven't set it up for Room yet, but in the half hour or so of use so far, the BluOS app with Qobuz works nicely. I wasn't thrilled with the idea of yet another music app in the house (on top of Apple music, Roon, Qobuz, Yamaha Music Cast, Sonos) but it's not a big deal for me. It's a quality unit and definitely worthy of consideration.