Bluesound Vault 2i Music Server, Black

The Bluesound Vault 2i in Black is a network music server that combines a CD ripper, a 2 TB hard drive and a hi-res streamer in a single enclosure.

You insert a CD, the Vault rips it losslessly to the internal hard drive – from then on your collection lives on the network and is accessible in every room via the BluOS app. Straight talk: a classic CD player spins one disc. The Vault 2i turns your entire CD shelf into a searchable library – and streams Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify or internet radio on the side. The silver-disc rack can retire with dignity.

Why the Vault 2i?

Because it combines two things that otherwise need two devices: archiving and streaming. The built-in D/A converter (32 bit / 192 kHz) turns your files into clean, calm sound – analog via RCA to the amplifier, digital via coax or Toslink, or straight to headphones. Multiroom is included: jazz in the kitchen, classical in the office, all in sync and all from the same app.

What you get

An ultra-quiet 2 TB hard drive for tens of thousands of tracks, ripping in FLAC, WAV or MP3 complete with cover art and metadata, bidirectional Bluetooth aptX HD, plus connections for a subwoofer and a 12-volt trigger. The analog RCA output is adjustable and can be switched to a fixed level in the BluOS app – handy as soon as a preamp takes over the volume. Everything is controlled via the BluOS app or the touch panel on the unit.

Who is the Vault 2i for – and who isn't it for?

Ideal for anyone with a grown CD collection who finally wants to use it digitally, losslessly and conveniently – without PC tinkering. If you listen exclusively to Spotify over Bluetooth and don't own a single CD, you're buying past the point; a slim streamer like the Node is enough for that. Important to know: the Vault wants a network cable, it has no Wi-Fi. Hand on heart – as long as the CD shelf is alive, it's worth it.

Does the Vault 2i need a streaming subscription?

No. It plays ripped CDs, local network files and free internet radio entirely without a subscription. Services like Qobuz or Tidal are an option, not a must – nice if you want them, no problem if you don't.

Our verdict

The Vault 2i is the most elegant way to bring a CD collection into the streaming age – archive, converter and multiroom source in one. Since 1997, we at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil have seen which devices actually get used in everyday life. The Vault belongs to the kind you set up properly once and then simply operate for years.

Technical data

• Type: network music server with CD ripper (BluOS)
• Storage: 2 TB internal hard drive, ultra-quiet and power-saving
• CD drive: slot-loading mechanism for audio CDs
• Rip formats: FLAC, WAV, MP3 (320 kbit/s), selectable
• Supported formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, WMA-L, ALAC, OPUS
• Hi-res formats: FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF
• Sample rate: 32–192 kHz
• Resolution: 16–24 bit
• D/A converter: 32 bit / 192 kHz
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz ±0.3 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 110 dB
• Total harmonic distortion: 0.005%
• Input: 1× combined Toslink / analog stereo (3.5 mm)
• Outputs: 1× analog RCA stereo, 1× coax RCA digital, 1× Toslink digital, 1× subwoofer RCA, 1× 12-volt trigger
• Output level: analog RCA output adjustable, switchable to fixed level (FIXED) in the BluOS app
• Headphone output: yes, 3.5 mm stereo jack
• Network: Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45); wired connection required, no Wi-Fi on board
• Bluetooth: 5.0 with aptX HD, bidirectional (send and receive)
• Additional playback: AirPlay 2
• USB: 1× Type A (USB storage, backup and restore), 1× Type B mini (service)
• Control: BluOS app (Android/iOS), touch panel, learning IR remote control
• Processor: dual-core ARM Cortex A9, 1 GHz
• Power consumption: 11 watts (idle)
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 220 × 90 × 192 mm
• Weight: 1.84 kg
• Color: Black (matte)
• Included: 2× power cable, power supply, stereo RCA cable, 3.5 mm mini-to-RCA cable, Ethernet cable

Frequently asked questions

Can the Vault 2i rip CDs?

Yes. You insert an audio CD, the Vault 2i automatically rips it losslessly as FLAC or WAV, or alternatively as MP3, to the internal 2 TB hard drive – including cover art and metadata. After that, the album is available across the whole network without inserting the disc again.

Do I need a separate amplifier for the Vault 2i?

For passive speakers, yes – the Vault 2i is a source and server, but not a power amp. You connect it to your amplifier via the analog RCA output, or to active speakers or an external DAC via the digital outputs. Headphones plug directly into the unit, no detour needed.

Is the output adjustable and can I connect headphones?

Yes to both. The analog RCA output is adjustable and can be set to a fixed level in the BluOS app once a preamp takes over the volume. You connect headphones via the 3.5 mm jack; that said, the Vault isn't a full-fledged headphone amp, so a dedicated one is worthwhile for demanding models.

How many tracks fit on the Vault 2i?

The 2 TB hard drive holds tens of thousands of tracks depending on format. In lossless FLAC, that's roughly several thousand albums – more than enough space for most collections, even if you keep ripping for years and also store purchased hi-res downloads on it.

Why buy the Vault 2i from HD Zürisee?

Because we've been looking after network audio in daily practice for years and know what matters in setup. We integrate the Vault cleanly into your home network, tune it to your amplifier and speakers, and set up multiroom – as a Qobuz Hi-Fi partner and with our own technician in-house.

Goes well with

You'll find complementary devices among the Music Servers, in the Streaming section and among the Speakers.