CambridgeAudio CXA81 V/s Bluesound PowerNode2i

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You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. CambridgeAudio CXA81 v/s Bluesound PowerNode2i

• Thread starter Thread starter druk2004
• Start date Start date Apr 1, 2021

D

druk2004

Member

Joined Dec 3, 2012 Messages 153 Points 18 Location gurgaon Dear experts, I am trying to purchase a "not so complex" stereo sound system. More comfortable with 1 box solution. Just wanted to have your opinion about the DAC quality. Which one would have better DAC between CXA81 and Powernode 2i ? Also, from sound output perspective, how are these two comparable ? Cheers, Roy D

DB1989

Well-Known Member

Joined Apr 6, 2020 Messages 2,227 Points 113 Location New Delhi

druk2004 said: Dear experts, I am trying to purchase a "not so complex" stereo sound system. More comfortable with 1 box solution. Just wanted to have your opinion about the DAC quality. Which one would have better DAC between CXA81 and Powernode 2i ? Also, from sound output perspective, how are these two comparable ? Cheers, Roy Click to expand...

The DAC inside the CXA81 is pretty competent. Also, the bluetooth playback is fantastic (by Bluetooth standards). Compared to my Chord Mojo and Ifi Zen DAC, it does an admirable job and i never feel it wanting when i use it instead of the other two dedicated DACs. D

druk2004

Member

Joined Dec 3, 2012 Messages 153 Points 18 Location gurgaon

DB1989 said: The DAC inside the CXA81 is pretty competent. Also, the bluetooth playback is fantastic (by Bluetooth standards). Compared to my Chord Mojo and Ifi Zen DAC, it does an admirable job and i never feel it wanting when i use it instead of the other two dedicated DACs. Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback !! Which speakers you have paired with CXA81 ? and Do I also need to have a Sub ? if yes, any suggestions ? D

druk2004

Member

Joined Dec 3, 2012 Messages 153 Points 18 Location gurgaon

druk2004 said: Thanks for the feedback !! Click to expand...

D

DB1989

Well-Known Member

Joined Apr 6, 2020 Messages 2,227 Points 113 Location New Delhi

druk2004 said: Thanks for the feedback !! Which speakers you have paired with CXA81 ? Click to expand...

I have tried the CXA81 with three speakers so far: 1. Quad S5 2. KEF Q350 3. Wharfedale Evo 4.2 The pairing with the Quad S5s and the KEF Q350s are stellar! Not so much with the Evo 4.2s.

druk2004 said: and Do I also need to have a Sub ? Click to expand...

In my books, a sub is a must for two reasons: 1. Unless you absolutely nail the placement in a given room, bass reproduction is a hit and miss for most bookshelf speakers (for that matter, also floorstanders). Considering we live in a real world and not all of us possess a dedicated HT room which is well treated, its difficult to get the placement spot on because of space constraints and especially WAF. Therefore, you need a sub to generate/reinforce the lower frequencies which tend to go missing otherwise. 2. Even if you nail the placement, insofar as bookshelfs are concerned, most cant dig down below 35hz (exceptions do of course exist but i daresay i havn't seen any BS below 2L to dig down below 30hz). Though the bass response in itself may seem strong provided you nail the placement, theres still a ton of information contained below 35hz which will go missing if you don't employ a sub. When we make all the hullabaloo and effort for getting high res msuic and so on and so forth, it does not make sense to forego an entire octave of music, right? You might prepare a dish with the most delectable and finest of ingredients and absolutely nail the cooking process but if you forego the salt, I'm sure the dish will be far from stellar. Bass is similar to my mind - its the bedrock upon which your music rests and it provides the foundation for the other frequencies to stand out, provided its well integrated.

druk2004 said: if yes, any suggestions ? Click to expand...

If you want a sub for music, my go to recommendation is the REL Ti series. If you can make the stretch to the S series, thats even better. I find the REL to be exceptional because of, amongst other things, the high level input. It really helps integrate the sub seamlessly with the main speakers and I daresay once you've experience it, you can never go back to any other sub for music. It blends so well that my bookshelves sound like proper full range speakers with no audible handover of frequencies to the sub from the speakers. For somthing that is great for both movies + music, look at the REL HT series. Get an HT1508 Predator and you're set. For purely HT purpose, there are plenty of other competent subs in the same price range as the corresponding RELs. D

DB1989

Well-Known Member

Joined Apr 6, 2020 Messages 2,227 Points 113 Location New Delhi

druk2004 said: Do I also need to have a Sub ? Click to expand...

DB1989 said: In my books, a sub is a must for two reasons: 1. Unless you absolutely nail the placement in a given room, bass reproduction is a hit and miss for most bookshelf speakers (for that matter, also floorstanders). Considering we live in a real world and not all of us possess a dedicated HT room which is well treated, its difficult to get the placement spot on because of space constraints and especially WAF. Therefore, you need a sub to generate/reinforce the lower frequencies which tend to go missing otherwise. 2. Even if you nail the placement, insofar as bookshelfs are concerned, most cant dig down below 35hz (exceptions do of course exist but i daresay i havn't seen any BS below 2L to dig down below 30hz). Though the bass response in itself may seem strong provided you nail the placement, theres still a ton of information contained below 35hz which will go missing if you don't employ a sub. When we make all the hullabaloo and effort for getting high res msuic and so on and so forth, it does not make sense to forego an entire octave of music, right? Click to expand...

One of my reference tracks is "Ayala" by Mobitex. The first 2 minutes of the track contain some really low frequency information and is heavily dependent on it for conveying the emotion of the music (its a goosebump inducing experience if you hear it with a well integrated sub). Try listening to the track with and without a subwoofer. You'll understand what I'm referring to. D

druk2004

Member

Joined Dec 3, 2012 Messages 153 Points 18 Location gurgaon

DB1989 said: One of my reference tracks is "Ayala" by Mobitex. The first 2 minutes of the track contain some really low frequency information and is heavily dependent on it for conveying the emotion of the music (its a goosebump inducing experience if you hear it with a well integrated sub). Try listening to the track with and without a subwoofer. You'll understand what I'm referring to. Click to expand...

Thanks for your detailed suggestion !! C

chiraghbir

Active Member

Joined Nov 3, 2012 Messages 100 Points 28 Location chandigarh honestly none save a little more and get some much nicer... i had bluesound node 2i and i was not happy with the SQ but its full of features though

Lizard King

Well-Known Member

Joined Jun 5, 2020 Messages 535 Points 93 Location Hyderabad

druk2004 said: Dear experts, I am trying to purchase a "not so complex" stereo sound system. More comfortable with 1 box solution. Just wanted to have your opinion about the DAC quality. Which one would have better DAC between CXA81 and Powernode 2i ? Also, from sound output perspective, how are these two comparable ? Cheers, Roy Click to expand...

Marantz PM7000N Integrated Stereo Amplifier

The Marantz PM7000N is for audio connoisseurs and featues a Current Feedback integrated Hi-Fi amplifier with all connectivity options. hifimart.com Worthy of consideration. Good quality. Fulfills your requirements. At present price excellent value. D

DB1989

Well-Known Member

Joined Apr 6, 2020 Messages 2,227 Points 113 Location New Delhi

chiraghbir said: honestly none save a little more and get some much nicer... i had bluesound node 2i and i was not happy with the SQ but its full of features though Click to expand...

Weren't you happy with the C388 either? C

chiraghbir

Active Member

Joined Nov 3, 2012 Messages 100 Points 28 Location chandigarh

DB1989 said: Weren't you happy with the C388 either? Click to expand...

I am happy with C388 but I want to upgrade to a better amp D

DB1989

Well-Known Member

Joined Apr 6, 2020 Messages 2,227 Points 113 Location New Delhi

chiraghbir said: I am happy with C388 but I want to upgrade to a better amp Click to expand...

Nice! Which amp have you decided on? Last edited: Apr 30, 2021 C

chiraghbir

Active Member

Joined Nov 3, 2012 Messages 100 Points 28 Location chandigarh

DB1989 said: Nice! Which amp have you decided on? Click to expand...

Search is on brother

bluestar

Member

Joined May 25, 2018 Messages 89 Points 18 Location Delhi Honestly, look at the other feathers as long as the DAC is decent enough. Maybe i'm not discerning enough but even with AB testing I can't tell the different between two competent dacs. although i can differentiate speakers and amps. D

DB1989

Well-Known Member

Joined Apr 6, 2020 Messages 2,227 Points 113 Location New Delhi

bluestar said: Honestly, look at the other feathers as long as the DAC is decent enough. Maybe i'm not discerning enough but even with AB testing I can't tell the different between two competent dacs. although i can differentiate speakers and amps. Click to expand...

Welcome to the club. But again, that depends on a number of variables. What were the DACs you compared? What was the chain? Did you volume match? How long was the interval while switching between both DAC's (since our memory is notoriously fickle)? Last edited: May 30, 2021 Audio Technica AT-LP60X Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Turntable Buy from India's official online dealer! Post reply

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