I had just ordered a WiiM Amp for a somewhat casual living/dining room system, then saw the Bluesound NODE is adding Dirac. Hmm, Crutchfield's got that on sale for $349 which plus some Topping amp or something is not a lot more than the $299 WiiM Amp. It seems either can do AirPlay and HDMI ARC (??).
The system will likely be JBL CBT 70J-1 flanking a 75" TCL Roku, with a large sub in the corner. Why the CBT? Because most of my listening is about 24' away working at the dining room table with a wall right behind, and to have less difference in sound level back there versus the couch about 10 feet away. Equipment will be mounted behind the TV. My muddled thoughts now:
- I would presume Dirac to be more powerful than what I perceive as a parametric EQ in the WiiM Amp. That theoretically could give better bass and midbass transition at that back dining wall. Or would the WiiM be close enough in this scenario?
- Does either box allow to save multiple settings, for when I listen up by the couch?
- The Bluesound NODE did not measure super clean, not sure if that was ever improved. Audibly good enough? Maybe...but as an engineer my brain "feels" the sound would be cleaner with less noise and distortion. Then again the WiiM Amp is not super clean either...
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/bluesound-node-review-streamer.25578/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/wiim-amp-streaming-amplifier-review.52372/
- Is either easier to use? ASR did not like the NODE in this regard.
Other thoughts welcome, gracias!
P.S. for those wondering: not considering WiiM Amp Pro due to no AirPlay, which is what I use most, since Apple Music lets me upload my own files. Not really considering the NODE ICON due to a lot more price not getting me much more, and a display I won't see.
As for using a WiiM streamer + amp, the Ultra does not have AirPlay and the others don't have a subwoofer output. I could parallel RCAs but want a built-in highpass, not another external box.
The system will likely be JBL CBT 70J-1 flanking a 75" TCL Roku, with a large sub in the corner. Why the CBT? Because most of my listening is about 24' away working at the dining room table with a wall right behind, and to have less difference in sound level back there versus the couch about 10 feet away. Equipment will be mounted behind the TV. My muddled thoughts now:
- I would presume Dirac to be more powerful than what I perceive as a parametric EQ in the WiiM Amp. That theoretically could give better bass and midbass transition at that back dining wall. Or would the WiiM be close enough in this scenario?
- Does either box allow to save multiple settings, for when I listen up by the couch?
- The Bluesound NODE did not measure super clean, not sure if that was ever improved. Audibly good enough? Maybe...but as an engineer my brain "feels" the sound would be cleaner with less noise and distortion. Then again the WiiM Amp is not super clean either...
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/bluesound-node-review-streamer.25578/
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/wiim-amp-streaming-amplifier-review.52372/
- Is either easier to use? ASR did not like the NODE in this regard.
Other thoughts welcome, gracias!
P.S. for those wondering: not considering WiiM Amp Pro due to no AirPlay, which is what I use most, since Apple Music lets me upload my own files. Not really considering the NODE ICON due to a lot more price not getting me much more, and a display I won't see.
As for using a WiiM streamer + amp, the Ultra does not have AirPlay and the others don't have a subwoofer output. I could parallel RCAs but want a built-in highpass, not another external box.
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