Vault 2i Review | Bluesound's Music Streamer & CD Ripper!

HiFi Summit Tickets - technodad.biz/... Today we dive into the Bluesound Vault 2i. A unique device that streams music and rips CDs to an internal 2TB drive. Could it be Sonos on steroids? Let's find out - amzn.to/2ELl1gs
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[@rasmusaggerholm]

Bluesound 2i have been streaming my music for the last 6 months and I haven't looked back since. Seamless, discrete, yet powerful and precise. Wouldn't hesitate getting other products from this company. Thanks for another great review!

[@TechnoDad]

Nice Rasmus! Thank you for sharing!

[@jpgsf1978]

Great video ! I just ordered a Vault 2 directly from Bluesound for $600. It is refurbished with full warranty. I think at this price the unit is a screaming deal.

[@halseybartlettjr.1328]

I’d do the same! Congratulations!

[@ptg01]

Great review ! I'm still on the fence for over a year and a half with Vault 2i because: 1. It does not rip single layer SACDs; 2. It does not handle DSD files natively (such as. DSD64 or DSD128) ; 3. The internal DAC is marginal at best (lots of online forums also have this very topic). Great concept. Fix these 3 and I am all in as the idea of having all your music in ONE device plus online streaming just makes total sense.

[@billd9667]

The only competing product (other than a PC) is the Naim Uniti Core, which costs over $2700. At $1300, this is a steal. And it includes an Internet streamer.

[@DavidD-eo8ts]

I purchased the Vault 2i 2 months ago for $1640.00 AUD (I'm in Melbourne Australia). I subscribe to Tidal and have a lot of CD's and the Vault is the best thing since sliced bread. I love it. I use an external DAC. And why do the ripped CD's seem to sound better than the original? Darned if I can explain it but I'm not complaining.

[@revvillanuevarevaving6849]

David D May Imask please how long does it take to rip a CD? Thanks!

[@marcus1970]

Perhaps the optical pickup and error correction in your CD player is interfering with your enjoyment....

[@DavidD-eo8ts]

@@revvillanuevarevaving6849 Sorry it's taken so long to get back to this post. On average It's about 8 minutes.

[@DavidD-eo8ts]

@@marcus1970 My player produces excellent results on it's own but the RIP seems a little better. I use my CD players internal DAC to listen to the Vault with either RIPs or Tidal.

[@TheSQDoctor]

It's 8 minutes per CD, at least. I just bought a Vault, and have only ripped 13 CDs so far out of 1,000+. I do like that it can be controlled through BluOS. Although the Vault has to be wired into the internet, it can play "wirelessly" to my NAD-T778 home theater receiver, which means I can keep the Vault in a different room. It does have to be hard-wired to the network to play. (My NAD HTR is not hardwired to the network.)

[@stopthefomo]

Great product!!

[@TechnoDad]

Yeah, it’s pretty cool!

[@mymonkeydoesntstink9]

Also pricing has to do with it being a roon end point. So tb hd ripper whole home roon , tidal, qobuz, Spotify, also takes you’re apple library. 1300 isn’t too excessive.my opinion.

[@homerjones3291]

Yeah, I love my Node 2 and would’ve liked to have the Vault ripping/storage functions, but $1300 is a little too far for me to go, when my CD transport works just fine, and Qobuz covers a majority of my CD library already. Maybe I’ll pick up one used; I won’t use the internal DAC so the 2 would do me just fine.

[@mauricecuffee7220]

I got mine as a refurb from BlueSound with a warranty for $799. I use it with a Denafrips Ares 2 DAC.

[@TechnoDad]

NICE!

[@54tristin]

I’ve had one for 2 yrs, no issues sound good out of the bo, better with outboard dac

[@joentell]

That's a smooth sponsored mention! I would buy a ticket!!! 😉😂👊😎

[@stephenclay6852]

A really good peace of kit which could be brilliant if they could combine it with an amp like the power node

[@kevincorr2985]

I love the vault, I sold all my cd players. Plus it is a BluOS Node too. I also have a Powernode, and a plain Node.

[@davidlambert3892]

One thing I don't like about my Vault 2 is that there is no power switch. Plug it in and it comes on. The only way to get the unit to turn off is to unplug it. Very poor design.

[@54tristin]

One problem if you rip a library ,eventually the amount of data available becomes difficult to manage. You start listening to the same music repetitively.

[@PostExpert]

Thanks for this nice review! Say I do not need the CD ripper and the HD drive. With just a Node, if I connect a HD drive filled with my music collection the USB port, will the Node read and build a library and let me play my music like the Vault do?

[@TechnoDad]

I think there is a way to add tracks but I’m not too sure. I haven’t had one of these for a while.

[@supaf1]

I wish i could find something like this with an on screen display via HDMI to a TV. I wan to look up and not down at a phone or Ipad

[@johndi1962]

If your amp/preamp is a good quality unit and the DAC works with MQA then use the better DAC in your amp/preamp

[@halseybartlettjr.1328]

Looks great. I’m finally replacing my ‘loved’ Escient SE-80 due to bad cd-r drive and, aside from sound quality, which this obviously offers, want to pair with a dedicated display. With no dedicated video out for album art, can I use a tv with monitor capabilities?

[@mymonkeydoesntstink9]

Roon!!!! ROON puts all your music together. Roon also shows dsd, mqa .

[@premjaicorr4956]

So $700 more than NODE for a CD ripper, 2T NAS, and DAC. I think that is cheap. A dac or cd player cost that much plus the NAS.

[@baronofgreymatter14]

Video quality is excellent..nice review. What camera do you use for content creation

[@TechnoDad]

Hi! Sorry for the delay, I use a Panasonic GH5 with a Sigma 18 - 35mm with speed booster. I shoot 4K60 and it's all manual focus because the autofocus just sucks...

[@dannylee5588]

Interesting but... What's the difference between this and ripping those CDs to my PC?? Is it the playback?? Convienance?? To me it seems like the same thing?? Appreciate your input.

[@TechnoDad]

Using this device, Bluesound app and some bluesound speakers,you can run whole home audio with this system which means all your ripped media and streaming services like Tidal and so on.

[@driv3rde883]

What a great, honest review! Thanks

[@TechnoDad]

You’re very welcome!!!

[@satii24]

Hey techno dad, in general, if you had a choice between the denon 4500h and denon 3700h for the same price (good deal on both), which one would you go for? It will be my first receiver.

[@paulmardis1512]

Hello TD, You can do all of that now with a BS Node 2i and Plex server which is what I am doing. Plex MS is free software and a NAS to hold your music collection. I use it with my Tidal, Spodify and ROON subscriptions. Sounds Fantastic. Good Luck PM

[@TechnoDad]

Thank you for sharing Paul! Maybe I should setup my own Plex server. Do you have the standard Plex or the Plex Pass?

[@paulmardis1512]

Plex Pass

[@MrDragonfire55555]

Loved the review makes me want one. I wonder how it would sound paired with a tube amp?

[@TechnoDad]

Thank you Ernest!

[@mauricecuffee7220]

I use my Vault-with a Denafrips Ares II with an upgraded fuse and power cord-with a PrimaLuna Dialogue HP. I love the sound. Listened for five hours last Friday.

[@MrDragonfire55555]

@@mauricecuffee7220 You are one lucky person and thank you for the input

[@dtasca3366]

Great product but I agree it sounds a bit pricey. But I would probably buy it! Thx again Channa.

[@TechnoDad]

Lol! Right on man!

[@revvillanuevarevaving6849]

May I please ask how long does it take to rip a CD?

[@TechnoDad]

Hi! It’s about 7 - 8 mins.

[@TheSQDoctor]

Wow, it is so slow to rip CDs. I found it MUCH faster to rip on my PC to FLAC, then transfer the files to the Vault over the shared home network. (Yes, I'm using error correction.)

[@nicholascole4054]

From what I've read, the reason it's slow is because it takes five rips per CD and chooses the best (most error-free) one. I have a Vault 2 and, with some CDs, it grinds away for up to 20 mins! This tends to be older CDs from the Eighties which have had a hard life.

[@anthonyjriz3]

is anyone able to explain to me why you would rip a cd to Flac? isn't cd 16 bit 44kz so how is it possible to get better audio quality from that to a Flac file thats 24bit 96khz? thanks

[@buddyjenkins7188]

If you have other Bluesound products such as the Node 2I or the Powernode 2i, or some of the NAD products that offer bluesound, can you play the ripped CD's on the other units?

[@kylanhanson2111]

If I can only manage to have a wifi connection in the other room, will the sound quality be any good on the streaming side of things if I connect the vault to my Yamaha receiver??

[@LarJgrip]

I’m confused…you said, “the price was too steep” but you also said, ”you definitely get what you pay for” So which is it?

[@rozzy3528]

the price is steep but for what it is, the price is fair.

[@luiscastro5456]

Quick question man, can I rip only the songs I like from the CD or do I have to rip the whole CD?

[@davidlambert3892]

I have a Vault 2. The owner's manual is a total joke. It doesn't explain how to do anything.

[@kristoffer5771]

Great video. Is there a cheaper way? Will there come?

[@TechnoDad]

I wish this had an SSD or something like this.

[@willpena5254]

This unit is fantastic if you don’t mind walking on tippy toes. The software is not user-friendly. Try deleting a song, or how to shut off the DTA converter, If you choose to use your own. The software is temperamental omitting sections of music, duplicating sections and or omitting art work The software seems to be conceived in the 1980s and gotten no further. at times it can be maddening.! I have an extensive library So the unit does what it’s intended to do. If not for it’s shortcomings it would have been a kick ass system There’s a beautiful Manuel for this Machine, To bad it’s useless!!!

[@davidlambert3892]

How does one delete files/songs? The owner's manual doesn't explain how to do anything.

[@spelare2]

You forgot to describe migration from Vault to Vault2i 🧐

[@Stealthmodeactivated-h8w]

No end of problems from not happy with some discs failed rips distorted audio would never consider another system like this I’ll stay with my cd player,amp n speakers closed circuit only

[@andrewtheace5216]

the real downside is that you can only stream your ripped music stored on the vault, to other Bluesound devices. In other words, if you want to access your music on your iPhone and listen to is, you can't. Does it stream to wireless speakers from the vault, sure...But only if they're Bluesound.

[@TechnoDad]

you can play what's on your phone through the vault via Bluetooth.

[@gslgregory]

I stream mine to Bluetooth headphones, my naim amp and to my Alexa devices

[@joshualieder7524]

Hi. I need a budget cd ripper, player, under 500. Any suggestions?

[@brents.2501]

Have you ever done a review on the Monolith THX sealed 12 inch sub? I can’t find anything online.

[@TechnoDad]

Hello Brent, I only had the ported 12” Monolith subwoofer.

[@brents.2501]

@@TechnoDad yeah I saw that video. Thanks bud!

[@alihassan6157]

So @techno dad i actually discovered that my 1080p led has hdmi 2.0 .. so will the ps5 work on it without any issue?

[@TechnoDad]

Hi! In theory, it should be fine.

[@lonelycake4114]

Aaah i think i want this For those times i cant bother with a streaming subscription i can listen to all those dusty cds from the past without leaving the chair 😁 Thanks channa d

[@TechnoDad]

Yup! BUUUUT...if you do want to use a streaming service, it works well too. Also, you can have this run your whole home audio too. Cool stuff!

[@lonelycake4114]

@@TechnoDad Do you know if it supports tidal connect? Thx

[@lonelycake4114]

@@TechnoDad But...if you go for the the node 2i instead... Is it possible to play files from a usb harddrive remotely the same way?

[@TechnoDad]

Hi! Not sure what Tidal connect is, but you get Tidal support with all blue sound products. I do have the node 2i and I think you can access files to play from your network, but I haven’t done it.

[@lonelycake4114]

@@TechnoDad Tidal connect plays music from the cloud directly to the amp, much like spotify connect But you can control the device from your phone (if that makes sense)

[@leo11877]

At $699, this would be killer.

[@TechnoDad]

Hah! Agreed!

[@mden2490]

Does this actually play the cd? If not that’s a deal breaker? I can rip cd’s using an Apple usb super drive that’s $78.00 and create a catalog using Apple Music, and/or use DNLA to listen to my music where I choose?

[@TechnoDad]

No, it doesn’t play the CD.

[@algimantaskvedaras9182]

Blusound makes fantastic devices, thanks...but...ohh this endless long updates...now waiting almost hour writing this comment, still no end:)

[@54tristin]

Price is not the downside support is the downside, and needing Ethernet to stream to the vault, I still don’t understand why it is incapable of wireless streaming from Spotify!

[@TechnoDad]

This is true!

[@shockjock35]

Can you use it with DJ software like Serato or Rekordbox

[@TechnoDad]

No, I don’t think so...

[@xberia]

Can I use it to play CD? Will it sound good as a hifi grade CD player?

[@TechnoDad]

Unfortunately, no. It’s just a ripper.

[@NiceWindow]

respect on the SC6000

[@TechnoDad]

Thanks, I love them!

[@dionroman3677]

Could you use your somos speakers with it?

[@TechnoDad]

I’m not sure. If they have an RCA inputs they should, but I don’t know.

[@southdesert]

Do I need a Node 2i if I have this device?

[@TechnoDad]

No. Think of this as a Node 2i with a disc ripper.

[@GSNLYT]

How many albums can u rip before the vault is full?

[@TechnoDad]

That, I don't know. I would get the average album and see how much space the album will take up in FLAC format and then see how many of those would fit in about 2TB worth of space.

[@GSNLYT]

@@TechnoDad so a 44.1KHz 16Bit album?

[@dnvr12]

The app usage was not user friendly to me… dont know how to remove a disc that was ripped from the storage… dont know how to make a custom playlist, of someone wanted 4 songs from a 15 song album they cant do it. There was a lot of downside to this for me that a lot of ppl dont see in reviews… maybe someone needs to do a live review where questions can be asked. For me i found sonos far more user friendly

[@briandickter2724]

I would want to stream FROM the Vault or Node 2i via WiFi TO my wireless speakers (Stereo Paired Apple Homepods). Do the Bluesound Apple AirPlay 2 units stream to Apple Homepods? Simply using Apple AirPlay 2 to stream content from my iPhone to my Bluesound gear is not that interesting.

[@HausOfPain]

$1300?! Jesus. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@tchrastka]

Is it ethernet only or can it stream via Wifi?

[@TechnoDad]

You can stream via WiFi!

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Has to be hardwired.

[@hendrixpd1]

At $1000 it is a buy.

[@craigpaske9351]

$1300 and no balanced outputs? I won't buy any devices over $1000 without SE and balanced output options.

[@TechnoDad]

That’s a great point!

[@Brighamdoc]

FAILED AFTER 2 YEARS OF USE. Owned mine for about 2 years and now the CD loading mechanism is broken. So... Expensive mediocre DAC and streamer with poor mechanical reliability. I could not recommend this product. BTW Bluesound support was pretty amazing. Very fast response to my issue and several attempts to fix it remotely. They did offer to sell me a new one for $999. I think for that much money there are better options.

[@yogizorch]

Too bad it's not SSD. For this price it should be.

[@TechnoDad]

That would definitely justify the price.

[@timhartigan]

The vault is great - until it fails. Then Bluesound has one answer. Buy a new one. WTF!! I'm serious. I have the emails. I now own a very expensive brick. Mine failed to properly download and install an update. At that point it was useless. BS support was useless. The firmware update was not interrupted. They hound the daylights out of you to install the updates, most of which seem to do nothing.

[@TechnoDad]

Ugh…sorry to hear about this. They should either fix it or replace it. Bad customer service for sure.

[@davidboykin1449]

Terrible review. No usable data given.