Absolutely!
I have been streaming Tidal and Deezer via my Vault2 for about 18 months.
I learned very quickly the onboard DAC is the weakest link by far on the unit.
I have output by spdif to a number of integrated amps with onboard dac vastly superior and the sq was impressive.
However to get full MQA unfolding you do need to use the onboard Bluesound DAC or send the signal to a DAC that has full MQA capability.
Unfortunately none of the DAC I have used have been MQA capable so I have been limited to 24/96 even on MQA masters titles. But this is still a very impressive quality and is now my main listening medium.
Latest dac is an Esoteric d07. |
+1
My Vault 2 is toslink connected to a first generation Mytek Manhatten, and my Node2 also toslink into an Oppo 105.
I don’t do MQA. Both DACs significant upgrades over the included Bluesound DACs
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I have read that Toslink cable only support 24/96 resolution, not 24/192 and HiRes files. Anyone confirm This? |
I do not think it is the toslink cable itself that is limited to 96, rather I think some early versions of the input and output sections were the limiting factor to 96.
However no digital expert here by far.
I have always used spdif output and that shows up on my dac as 24/96 because my dac does not support the full MQA unfolding which is the only way you would get 24/192 through a bluesound product or to use its own onboard dac and output via single ended analog outputs to your amp. But to my ears I found the sq to be inferior by far compared to a good outboard dac.
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I visited Audioconnection last year and Johnny was demoing the Bluesound Node/Vault for another customer. He played the onboard Bluesound DAC and then switched to an Ayre Codex. The difference was noticable-for the positive.
So, Yes, using an external DAC will improve sound reproduction.
I use both the optical and USB outputs.
B |
Uberwaltz and Mahler123. Thanks for feedback. I figured outboard DAC would be better. Question I'm asking is using a good or really good DAC like a Mytek Manhattan is the Bluesound worthy of good enough and quiet source to be worthy of using with a really good DAC, capable as a source. I hear this matters also. My OPPO bdp105 sounds pretty good. I think I can do better plus it disconnects a lot during streaming and have to start over where you were on Tidal is a pain.
How's the Bluesound for keeping connectivity? |
@Initim
I was using an Oppo 105 in the same system as my Vault2. At first I was using the Vault2 as a stand-alone source into the preamp and quickly realized that I preferred the CDs that I was burning into the Vault2 played back from the Oppo. I then plugged the digital out from the Vault2 into digital inputs for the Oppo and much preferred that. It didn’t sound identical to the same discs played back natively on the Oppo, but very close. After a while I added the Manhatten, using both the Oppo and Vault2 as digital transports, and they both sounded much better via the Mytek. The very subtle differences between the Vault2 and the Oppo 105 May have been due to the differences between the coax and toslink inputs on the Manhatten, or due to differences in the 2 transports themselves, but they are very close.
When Oppo announced that they will cease making disc spinners I bought a 203 and replaced the 105 with that. I moved the 105 into a home theater system in a different part of the home and there is a Bluesound Node2 in that system. I now run the Node2 into the DAC of the 105. This has improved the sound of the Node2, but the rest of the HT system is made of mid fi gear that costs a fraction of my 2 channel system, and the upgrade for the Node2 isn’t as blazingly obvious as the upgrades in the two channel system.
The take away would be that the Bluesound products are fine as digital transports, but like any component, you need to consider the entire system before you make your choice.
I didn’t understand the last part of your post regarding connectivity. Can you rephrase that for me?
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I think by connectivity I would say the OP means the ethernet connection?
Vault 2 is easy as it is hard wired ONLY, no choice for wireless and so in all honesty zero dropouts as long as you have a premium fast internet service.
The node 2 gives you option of both wired and wireless I think.
Where possible I run all my components on wired connections so as to minimize any chance of dropout. From my main hub upstairs I ran hard wires down to two smaller hubs downstairs so I could feed everything by hard wire in both the HT room and my stereo room but that might have been overkill...lol.
Some have reported occasional dropouts on the node using wireless but I would think again it would be more down to your router than the node unit.
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mahler123, What I was meaning as far as connectivity I should have said connection / disconnection issues. My Oppo BDP105D on a regular basis while streaming disconnects from my tablet I use as the controller. So I have to reopen the app, go back into Tidal and go back to who I was listening to. It's a major pain in the rump. Otherwise I would probably just get a better dac like Benchmark, Bel Canto or Mytek. Mytek because it plays MQA.
Can anyone support the difference and is it worth paying more for an MQA DAC to listen to MQA files vs FLAC and other Hi-Res files ? |
OP
I had huge issues with the OPPO app on my phone doing exactly the same and eventually gave up with it.
The OPPO is used purely for movies now and I use the Bluesound vault2 as my dedicated streamer, no connection issues from the Bluos app.
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I'm also thinking of using an external DAC with node 2... and I'm also wondering if spending $1000 to $1200 going to get any tangible or even worthwhile boost in SQ. |
aliskhan.
I would have to say a resounding YES.
The weak link of the vault and node is the DAC, any half way decent DAC is an improvement. 1000 to 1200 gets you in the very good DAC market in todays equipment.
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I must say that a few weeks back I bought a very lightly used Benchmark Dac2 in mint shape for $1,200 and connecting my Oppo BDP105d to it and the difference in sound is amazing. One of the best tweaks ive made, a great dac.
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Recently bought the RME ADI-2 DAC. Hooked it up to my Blue sound node and it was a huge improvement. RME is a German Pro Audio company that builds recording studio gear. It's a 32/768 kHz converter. W/features not found in other Dac's. Check it out on their website
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There's actually a Benchmark DAC1 on here right now at just $400.
That is going to be a nice improvement just for that little cash, certainly over Bluesound and likely an OPPO too.
A benchmark dac2 sold for 950 here about 4 days ago.
There are some great dac deals around. |
Bluesound Bluesound DAC are ok but nothing special. I’ve used an Oppo 105, Bryston DAC3, and Mytek Manhatten. Pretty much any DAC will improve it
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OP.
Glad to hear you went with another outboard DAC and are pleased with the results.
Myself, I sold the esoteric dac and went with a mytek Brooklyn which was another huge step up and it supports mqa so now on the right files I am getting 24/192.
In a little piece of heaven for now! |
congrats on the RME
let us know how you like it after settling in.... |
I’ve been fine tuning my RME and there is nothing in this price range that can touch it. If you want to see a review of the RME w/very descriptive charts go to Audio Science Review. They described it as the best measured DAC to date. Very clear transparent sound w/a wide detailed sound stage. I’m using the SD Slow filter that takes out the top end digital harshness. Still plenty of detail w/cymbals, horns, strings and snare drums.Price & performance ratio is very high.
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