USB Input: Power Specification and Version
Every Bluesound Player comes with a USB 2.0 connection Input port situated on the rear panel of the device.
Bluesound Generation 1 Players (2012 models) – NODE (Gen1), POWERNODE (Gen1), VAULT (Gen1), and PULSE (Gen1) – provide 5VDC and 0.5A of power to externally connected devices, enabling support for memory sticks and Bluetooth 4.0 adapters.
Bluesound Generation 2 (2015) and subsequent models deliver 5VDC and 1A of power to externally connected devices through the USB Input port.
However, not all USB mass storage devices are compatible, as those requiring more than 0.5A/1A of power may experience performance issues due to the Player's power limitations.
Identifying Signs of an Underpowered Drive
Indications of an underpowered drive include, but are not restricted to:
- The PLAY/PAUSE button on the player does not turn WHITE, indicating that the storage device is not being indexed.
- The storage device emits repeated clicking sounds but fails to start.
- The storage device does not connect or initiate.
*Typically, underpowered drives have a size exceeding 500GB or 0.5TB.
Optimizing Storage Device Power Performance
If you encounter issues with your storage device, follow these steps to enhance its performance. For optimal music storage and performance, Bluesound recommends utilizing Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices to prevent future issues.
- Begin by examining the storage device's complete power specifications and consulting all user documents to determine if an external AC power adapter can be incorporated or if there is an additional power port on the storage device.
WARNING!
If your device includes a port for additional AC power but no adapter is included, contact the manufacturer of the storage device for further assistance, as the wrong adapter may be hazardous and could cause electrical fires.
- If your storage device lacks an extra power port, or if you are uncertain about the appropriate adapter, consider installing a USB Power Hub between the storage device and the Bluesound Player. USB Power Hubs enhance power to underpowered devices, thereby improving the overall performance of the drive.
Notes
- When USB Server Mode is disabled, music catalogs on USB storage devices are not transferred to the Music Library; instead, they are stored as individual USB Libraries on the local Player.
- To ensure the correct grouping of stored music, Players connected with USB storage devices must be the Primary Player in a Group when USB Server Mode is disabled.
- For additional guidance on local music storage, refer to our Help Center article – How USB Storage Differs From A Local Library when Server Mode is Disabled – for comprehensive details and recommended best practices.