Node 2i Audio fixed output level and RCA input sensitivity

Answered

fafa44

• December 18, 2020 11:10

Hi,

The fixed level output is about 2 Volts
The most integrated amplifiers have input sensitivity about 100mv or 200mV for 50W RMS 8 ohms.
Ex:

NAD C326 BEE , 159 mV 50WRMS 8ohms
ROTEL A11 , 180mV 50WRMS 8ohms
MARANTZ PM 6007, 200mV 45WRMS 8ohms
So, the voltage gain are very high.

To listen to music at low volume, this 2V high fixed output value cannot be used.
With my old yamaha amp (150mV, 40WRMS 8 ohms), I have to reduce the Node 2i volume slider to the first third to be able to set the volume knob of my amp to 9 o'clock (it's not much already!) to have a good musical and tonal quality on my speakers.

Could we have a second lower fixed output level with a perfect and optimized output quality more compatible with the sensitivities of the RCA inputs of the integrated amplifiers?

Regards

 

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• Official comment

  

  Tony W.

  Product Support Manager

  • December 21, 2020 18:39

  Thanks for the feedback Fafa44 - but that is really an issue with your amplifier and not with the NODE 2i.
• 

  BC Rosenau

  • November 21, 2021 15:52

  Another affordable alternative is to simply attenuate the signal between the units. Do an ebay search for Harrison Labs 6 dB RCA Line Level Attenuator Pair. Other db (12 for example) are also availabe if volume knob position is really an issue. Larger number indicates db level of signal reduction.

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• 

  2 3

  • August 09, 2026 14:35

  Hi Fafa, on a hifi the volume control increases or decreases the voltage to make it louder or quieter.

  If the output voltage of the DAC is 2v and the input voltage of the amplifier is 159mv, like the NAD amplifier you mentioned, then you need to attenuate the voltage by adjusting the decibels, which you can do in audio settings on the Node and adjusting the 'volume limits' option.

  You can find voltage attenuation calculators online where you type in the input and output voltages and get the db attenuation value, in the case of a 2v DAC supplying a 159mv amplifier, you would set the max volume limit on the Node to -22db.

  I hope that helps, Tony is right that exceeding the amplifiers input voltage is a problem as it stresses the analog output stage and can rapidly degrade the components.

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