I currently have a dedicated PC server and while the audio is excellent (as is the interface), the heat generated is not. It sits in my equipment room and can really overheat the room. So I have ordered the Blue Sound Vault 2, which is the equivalent of the Node plus 2TB of storage. (It comes with a 30 day trial period). It gets me the streaming product I am interested in (for Tidal) and provides a vehicle for possibly eliminating my PC with its storage ability. I will load a few CD's onto it that I have on my server and be able to directly compare the two products sonically.
I know one downside of it already. It takes about 5 minutes to load a CD onto my server and 15 (according to what I have read) to load onto the Vault 2. It apparently keeps reading until it gets a "perfect" copy. My server uses another approach to do the same thing. It does have the ability to upload my existing library onto its hard drive as well as attach to an external Networked drive (and, of course, do backups of what it contains). I use JRemote to control my existing server and I am guessing that the Vault 2 has its own proprietary interface. I am also guessing that I won't like it as well. I will be going digital in to my preamp (Datasat) so won't be using an external DAC.
Assuming the sound quality is acceptable, I will evaluate if I even need the storage ability. I have been told that Tidal is a very complete service so to the extent their library matches mine, I may or may not need the storage. This should be fun!!
EDIT: In order to evaluate how good or not so good this product is (taking advantage of the 30 day trial period), a friend of mine has agreed to assist in a blind test. This product vs a dedicated server that we both know sounds even better than the dCS transport in the same system (also determined in a blind test). I readily admit that I have expectation bias and the only way to eliminate that variable is via blind test. In this case, the expectations run on both sides of the fence: The server costs more, has known sub-products doing the ripping, known sub-products doing the playing, and it beats the best. On the other side, the new product meets some important criteria: newer technology; smaller footprint; generates less heat; "cooler looking"; multipurpose (streaming and music server); specifically designed for this purpose.
The system we will use is comprised of all dCS digital front end; Magico Q5 Speakers assisted by Rel subs and all Spectral electronics. The dCS has multiple SP/DIF inputs into which we all plug the server and the Bluesound Vault 2. The two products will feed the dCS DAC --- which feeds the Spectral preamp. All of the equipment is in a separate room located behind the purpose built dedicated listening room. This system is more revealing than mine and, because of the dCS products, instant (and blind) switching between the two products will be easily accomplished.
Both he and I will participate as listeners. We will compare the PC based server to the Bluesound acting as a server and the PC based server to the Bluesound as a streaming product, all, of course, with identical music being compared. Should be fun.
I know one downside of it already. It takes about 5 minutes to load a CD onto my server and 15 (according to what I have read) to load onto the Vault 2. It apparently keeps reading until it gets a "perfect" copy. My server uses another approach to do the same thing. It does have the ability to upload my existing library onto its hard drive as well as attach to an external Networked drive (and, of course, do backups of what it contains). I use JRemote to control my existing server and I am guessing that the Vault 2 has its own proprietary interface. I am also guessing that I won't like it as well. I will be going digital in to my preamp (Datasat) so won't be using an external DAC.
Assuming the sound quality is acceptable, I will evaluate if I even need the storage ability. I have been told that Tidal is a very complete service so to the extent their library matches mine, I may or may not need the storage. This should be fun!!
EDIT: In order to evaluate how good or not so good this product is (taking advantage of the 30 day trial period), a friend of mine has agreed to assist in a blind test. This product vs a dedicated server that we both know sounds even better than the dCS transport in the same system (also determined in a blind test). I readily admit that I have expectation bias and the only way to eliminate that variable is via blind test. In this case, the expectations run on both sides of the fence: The server costs more, has known sub-products doing the ripping, known sub-products doing the playing, and it beats the best. On the other side, the new product meets some important criteria: newer technology; smaller footprint; generates less heat; "cooler looking"; multipurpose (streaming and music server); specifically designed for this purpose.
The system we will use is comprised of all dCS digital front end; Magico Q5 Speakers assisted by Rel subs and all Spectral electronics. The dCS has multiple SP/DIF inputs into which we all plug the server and the Bluesound Vault 2. The two products will feed the dCS DAC --- which feeds the Spectral preamp. All of the equipment is in a separate room located behind the purpose built dedicated listening room. This system is more revealing than mine and, because of the dCS products, instant (and blind) switching between the two products will be easily accomplished.
Both he and I will participate as listeners. We will compare the PC based server to the Bluesound acting as a server and the PC based server to the Bluesound as a streaming product, all, of course, with identical music being compared. Should be fun.
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