About The Bluesound Vault 2i Streaming Player
The Bluesound Vault 2i uses the fresh new styling of all the Gen 2 Bluesound models. Rip all your CDs rapidly in lossless high-resolution formats, space-saving MP3, or both simultaneously. Purchase, download and store high-res tracks on a dedicated ultra-quiet 2TB hard-drive – with no computer needed. Access and share your entire digital music collection and stream it in studio-quality to multiple rooms all over the home.
Tested and perfected at one of North America's most advanced sound labs and by some of the same engineers and musicians who started the original HiFi revival in the 1970s comes the Bluesound Vault 2i network music storage device with slot-loading CD drive and 2TB internal hard drive.
With Bluesound you can enjoy high-end audio in more rooms of your home. While there are many streaming products in today's audio landscape, Bluesound's multi-room music system focuses on helping you enjoy the most from not just low level files, but more importantly high-resolution audio files. Of course Bluesound is compatible with MP3s – and just about every other digital format ever created – but Bluesound was purpose-built for high-res audio. While other companies put a premium on style, Bluesound has spared no expense on the integration of advanced, innovative audio technologies that deliver blazingly fast error-free playback in maximum studio-master recording quality, resulting in absolutely unbeatable performance.
What's New In Gen 2i?
Apple AirPlay 2 Support: All Bluesound Gen 2i models are designed to support AirPlay 2, which will be delivered to Gen 2i owners via an upcoming software update. With AirPlay 2, Gen 2i owners can stream just about any sound from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac to their Bluesound system — all in sync. Customers can stream music, books, and podcasts from their favourite Apps, or watch videos on their Apple device while streaming the audio through to their Gen 2i Player – imagine watching Netflix or YouTube on an iPad while filling the room with premium sound from a Bluesound system.
AirPlay 2 also gives users more options for control, including using Siri voice assistance. Once you add your Gen 2i Player to the Apple Home App on your iPhone or iPad, Apple Music subscribers can use their iOS device or HomePod to say things like: "Hey Siri, play smooth jazz in the Living Room" or "Hey Siri, turn it up in the Kitchen."
By grouping a Gen 2i Player with older Bluesound Players in the BluOS App, existing customers can add AirPlay 2 compatibility to their entire BluOS system.
Two-Way Bluetooth: Gen 2i contains Bluesound's most advanced take on Bluetooth to date – two-way Bluetooth, featuring both Receive and Transmit functionality. Receive capability allows users to wirelessly stream from their device to a Bluesound Player just like they're used to doing with Gen 2. The Transmit capability means the user can now use their Bluesound Gen 2i Player as a source, sending what they are listening to via Bluetooth to a pair of wireless headphones. One exception: Bluesound PULSE FLEX 2i only supports the Receive functionality via Bluetooth.
aptX HD Bluetooth: While Bluesound has improved the Bluetooth connectivity in Gen 2i, engineers also made sure that audio quality improvements are part of the Gen 2i Bluetooth story. The advanced Qualcomm CSR8675 chip used in these new products also supports aptX HD Bluetooth wireless audio. aptX HD is an enhanced codec that supports 24-bit audio over Bluetooth and has been engineered to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in lower background noise. With the ability to support streams up to 24 bit/48kHz, a customer streaming from an aptX HD compatible device to a Gen 2i Player is actually able to listen to better-than-CD quality, wirelessly. It all fits into the Bluesound story – modern wireless convenience without sacrificing quality. Note that the PULSE FLEX 2i only supports aptX Bluetooth.
The Vault 2i
The Bluesound Vault 2i provides a convenient way to store and listen to your digital music collection. So if you've amassed a large collection of CDs, then Vault 2i was designed JUST for you. It has a massive 2TB storage drive - about 3,000 CDs - and a built-in CD slot so you can copy your entire CD collection for easy access. It 'rips' bit-perfect digital copies of your CDs, so you'll hear every detail contained in the original versions with no compression at all (you have the option to rip all your CDs rapidly in lossless high-resolution formats, space-saving MP3, or both simultaneously).
But wait, there is more! You can transfer other digital music files which you may have stored on various computers around the house and keep them all on Vault 2i for easy access. Once you've loaded your collection, you'll be able to enjoy all of your music in any room with a Bluesound player. Vault 2i itself is also a Bluesound music player — connect it to your receiver, amplifier, or other audio system using its digital or analogue outputs. VAULT also offers a wired network connection and can act as a NAS drive for storage & playback of digital music files on your Windows or Mac computer.
A Wide Variety Of Music Options: Bluesound was designed to play just about any digital music you might have in your collection, including high-resolution files up to 24-bit/192kHz. Access the music stored on your computer or a networked hard drive, or tap into Internet radio stations like Tunein with over 70,000 FREE stations and online streaming services like Rdio, Spotify, Deezer etc (Subscription required) with the Bluesound app. Each Bluesound player also features a USB input for
Playing files "locally" from a thumb drive or hard drive, so if a friend brings over their favourite album or playlist, you can listen to it through your system.
Subwoofer Output: The Vault 2i features a mono-RCA subwoofer output for connecting an external powered subwoofer to your speaker system.
Headphone Output: A 3.5mm headphone jack is located on the front of the Vault 2i for private listening with a set of headphones. The Vault 2i's output will be muted when headphones are connected.
IR Input: An infrared extender (sold separately) can be connected the Vault 2's IR input (3.5mm) to allow for programmable learning remotes to control volume and source selection when the Vault 2 is stored in a way that the front-panel IR sensor is not visible.
12V Trigger Output: The 12V trigger output (3.5mm) can be used to control or activate other external device equipped with a corresponding 12V trigger input.
Optical/Analogue Input: The Vault 2i is fitted with a 3.5mm Auxilliary input which can be used as either an analogue or digital connection. As an analogue input, simply connect a stereo minijack audio cable from your analogue source to the Vault 2i's Auxilliary input. As a digital input, use the included 3.5mm-to-Optical adapter along with an optical digital cable (sold separately) to connect your digital source to the Vault 2i's Auxilliary input. As an analogue or digital input, the unit's Auxilliary input supports 2 channel PCM audio (not Dolby Digital or DTS). Audio from the Optical/Analogue Auxilliary input can be played back at the Vault 2i and wirelessly distributed to other Bluesound components in your home for multiroom playback.
USB (Type-A) Input: The Bluesound Vault 2i features two USB (type-A) ports to directly connect your USB mass storage class (MSC) device; such as a thumbdrive, or external hard-drive. The unit's USB ports support music playback from these compatible USB devices formatted in FAT 32. The USB port is not compatible with the direct connection of an Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad or Android devices.
Note: There is also a mini-USB (type-B) port that is used for service purposes only (not for consumer use). Only authorised service personnel can access this USB port.
Create Your High-Resolution Multi-Room Music System: Combine multiple Bluesound players to enjoy high-end sound throughout your home. Controlling the system is easy with the free Bluesound app for your smartphone or tablet - see below.
Wired Network Connection: The Bluesound Vault 2i is fitted with a Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) jack for a wired connection to your home's network and Internet provider. This network/internet connection allows you to listen to music on the Vault 2's hard-drive on other Bluesound devices through out your home, plus lets you stream digital music files on your network connected Windows or Mac computer, as well as stream select online music services and internet radio to your existing home audio system and the rest of your Bluesound components throughout your home.
Control In The Palm Of Your Hand: In addition to creating high-end music players, Bluesound also developed free apps for Apple and Android so you can control the system easily with your portable device. You can download the free Bluesound Remote App from iTunes or Google Play in order to use your Apple iOS (5.0+) or Android (2.1+) device to control PULSE. You are able to browse your local music library from a NAS or Windows/Mac computer on your network. You can also search for and listen to online music from TuneIn, Rdio and more. In addition, you can create, edit and retrieve your favourite music playlists.
The Bluesound Remote App even provides artist/song/album information and Album Art. The remote app can be used in portrait or landscape mode. If you have multiple Bluesound devices on the same network, you can use the Bluesound Remote App to control each of them separately. Play music in one room, all rooms, or different tracks in different spaces around your home.
More About Bluesound: Bluesound is an alliance of audiophiles dedicated to delivering on the promise of wireless, digitally-perfect high-fidelity audio. They are not just another computer company! Their goal is one many aspire to but few have currently reached. So, who is Bluesound? Easy! The same people who pioneered world-famous NAD Hi-Fi in the 1970's and even now still set the bar high in audio components, relentlessly pursuing innovative technologies and faithful music reproduction. Having been associated with the team for over 35 years, we can testify that they're all about the sound. They have built on their decades of audio experience to create the Bluesound line of multi-room audio gear for the discerning listener. No, that doesn't mean expensive but rather cutting-edge when it comes to performance.
Review's
The designers at NAD and PSB have come up with a brilliant solution to the problem of high-res, whole-house audio that combines superb sound reproduction with twenty-first-century connectivity — From The Absolute Sound January, 2015
Our Take
What makes Bluesound so special it that it's all about high-resolution audio. Sonos, Heos and others currently don't handle high-res music. Vault 2i does all that and more. No question if you have a lot of CDs and need to compress the storage space they take up (or so you can sell them on Gumtree!) then Vault 2i is a perfect solution and especially if you care about audio fidelity. We believe with the rise in popularity of high-end headphones, that some users will just own those two products and still experience the highest level performance.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Network Music Player with built-in 2TB hard drive
- CD Player: Slot loaded CD player included
- Compatibility: Communicates with other Bluesound players via your home network (wired)
- Free App: Control the system with a free app for your smartphone, tablet, or computer (Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Windows and Mac)
- Files: Plays MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, WMA-L, FLAC, ALAC, WAV and AIFF files
- Sample Rates: Supported sample rates: From 32kHz to 192kHz
- Bit Depths: 16-bit to 24-bit
- Internet Radio: Plays Internet radio stations from TuneIn Radio; Radio Paradise and others
- Spotify Connect: Lets you play Spotify's streaming music library through your Bluesound system via your smartphone or tablet (requires Spotify app and a premium subscription; firmware and app version 1.10.0 or higher)
- Cloud Services: Plays streaming music from WiMP, Rdio, Slacker Radio, Qobuz, HighResAudio, JUKE, Deezer, Murfie, HDTracks, Spotify and TIDAL depending on your location
- Apple Air Play: Stream from iPhone, iPad or Mac
- Album Art: JPG
- Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant voice control compatibility (external Amazon or Google device required).
- Multi-Room: Play music in multiple rooms when you add other Bluesound players
- Controls: Top-mounted controls for volume, play/pause & skip forwards or backwards
- Bluetooth: high quality 5.0 aptX HD Bluetooth capability built-in
- Headphone Output: 3.5mm front mounted jack
- Dual USB Ports: Connect a thumb drive with music files
- Analogue Input: Rear 3.5mm stereo jack
- Optical Input: Rear 3.5mm jack - adaptor for optical cable provided
- Ethernet Port: This is for a wired connection to a home network
- Supplied Accessories: AC Power Cord, Ethernet Cable & Toslink Optical to 3.5mm Mini Adaptor
- Windows: Compatible with Windows (XP or higher operating system)
- Mac: Compatible with Apple MacIntosh products
- Power: 230 Volt/50Hz input
- Power Consumption: 22 Watts
- Detachable Power Cord: Allows for upgrade to a better power cable
- Finish - Black or White
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 220 x 90 x 192mm
- Nett Weight: 1.84 Kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.