I use a Node 2 connected to an Ayre Codex via a high quality glass optical interconnect. The sound of this combo is stunning for the price. Much, much better than the Node 2 with it's own Dac. Although there is nothing wrong with it's on board Dac. One other thing I did that was recommended was to connect the Codex to an amp with XLR's if said amp has balanced input capabilities. The SQ took another leap forward. I pretty much listen to this pairing more often than my CD player or my turntable. To me, it's that good. IMHO.....YMMV.
Bluesound Node 2 as a preamp?
Source: Bluesound Node 2
Amp: Belles Aria Integrated
Speakers: Vandersteen 2ce Sig II’s
Prior to last night I had been taking the analog outputs of the Node 2 and plugging them into 1 of the 3 stereo inputs on the Belles. I had read a thread here about bypassing the preamp and plugging the Node 2 directly into your amp. I did that last night by using the Bypass input on the Belles, using the volume control on the Bluesound OS app to conrol volume.
I don’t know if it’s expectation bias or some other phenomenon, but I swear my system has never sounded sweeter. More bass extension, more defined sound stage, better detail.
Has anyone else tried this experiment? What were your findings? Am I losing it?
Thanks!
Joe