So I purchased a Bluesound Node X with the hope that it would improve my streaming experience and overall listening experience. It really hasn’t.
I use Amazon Music and other than some minor conveniences (like not interrupting music when a call comes in) I’m not sure it was worth the $750. The sound from the Laptop via USB sound fuller and just as detailed as the Node and it seems like its just another piece of equipment I don’t really need. Am I missing something?
I got to WiiM mini because I was tired of tethering my iPhone to my DAC with a USB. But recently I’ve gotten curious about moving up from lossless to high res audio, wondering if I can hear the difference. Airplay 2 doesn’t support high res, so back to tethered. Fortunately my desktop iMac is close enough that I can run the USB to that. And now I can stream either from the computer in high res, or the phone lossless. I think high res maybe sounds better or maybe I’m imagining it. 😊
Since my streaming service of choice is Apple Music, and I’ve already got too much nice looking gear on the rack, I don’t see any reason for anything fancier than the WiiM. Being able to stream from my phone is convenient, and worth the Mini’s price just for that.
The high res version may be of a different mastering so if you want to check if you can hear any difference you need to make sure both is from the same master to compare.
I’m listening to the same version, the airplay version is always converted to 44.1/16.