Bluesound Node 2i with PRO+ PSU & Interface

I was using the Bluesound Vault 2i to rip/ store and stream music via an external DAC. To my ears the music was disappointing compared to my listening to cd via a seventeen year old audionet player. Music appeared to lack depth and a decent bass extension. Treble sounded harsh, there was an often muddled mid range and a regular sibilance with vocals. These characteristics were heard through my floor standing speakers and to a lesser extent headphones. I knew the benefits of external PSUs, having a few fitted within my system and on researching their availability came upon a company which, fortunately, specialised in PSUs for the Bluesound models.

Having connected the PRO+ PSU (Silent 2 psu) and an upgraded node 2i streamer, with interface, to my set up, the vault 2i was very quickly recognised allowing me to use it to play everything held in its library.

There was a noticeable immediate ‘ cleaning up ‘ of the sound but given 500 / 600 hours. Well ! Fantastic ! What a difference. After experimenting with different connection options :

1) Via headphones connected to the node 2i, (using its DAC ) the sound had become much clearer, more defined, a fuller presentation. There was excellent separation of the instruments with much improved dynamics.

2) Via floor standing speakers using he node2i connected to an external DAC there was also a big improvement in the sound which had originally emanated from the vault 2i as the source. The PSU and additional upgraded node enabled a wide soundstage, a more balanced, analogue presentation. The mids were more coherent, vocals had very little sibilance. The noise floor reduced dramatically.

I am thankful to Brent, who had given me the good advice to utilise the upgraded node 2i in my system. If this is level 2 upgrade then what can the reference level achieve?

I can heartily recommend Fidelity Audio as a very cost effective way to hugely improve your sound system.

Steve H | S Yorkshire | July 2020