Node Gen 3 future USB output
Answered
I see the new gen will have USB output via a future software update. Will that allow full unfolding of MQA with an external MQA capable DAC?
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This feature is important for many reasons! Many people have usb only dacs. Usb input can work asynchronous allowing high end dac with femto clocks to 'time/clock' a better data stream out of the buffer. Its written on the specs of the product and that alone should engage bluesound more to that feature. Some people have high end usb cables they invested on. Some dac just sound better with usb input: many dac have high quality galvanic usb isolators plus that clocking mentionnend above. I am another customer who bought it based on the usb output specified I just wish it was taken seriously months go by and still nothing. Id like a beta version at least so I can connect it the way I intended.
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It's really sad that they are silent on this.
Why isn't there somebody who makes a streamer under $600 that just works and has what people are asking for? I really don't get it.
It might be better to buy a used Cambridge CXN V2 instead of buying a node or iFi.0 -
Aaron, Bluesound only answered yesterday so hardly silent.
https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/4412058351895
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Pointing people to this thread that has no answers or updates is still silent to me.
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The thread links to another which says the end of year. I merely correctly pointed out that Bluesound had not been silent on the matter.
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I bought Node N130 last week and found that the USB output doesn't work .... I couldn't believe it ...
I did not imagine that this feature was not activated after so many months of launch, and especially that we were repeatedly assured that the USB output will be activated quickly through a firmware update.
What does fast mean for this company ????
A lot of false marketing from this company, to trick us into buying its products.0 -
I looked and have not been able to find a single instance of BlueSound claiming it was updated yet.
In most cases, you have 30 days to return it.
Research is your friend.
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More like Amazon is your friend! My node will be returned to Amazon by Jan 1st if the USB Out is not functional by then. I will explain to Amazon in detail why I sent it back.
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By the end of the year ? Such a disapointment from bluesound. They are now officially lying to
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It's not the end of the year yet! But it is very close. There will certainly be a lot of very disappointed users if Bluesound do not deliver within the next 4 weeks. I would suggest if this deadline is not going to be met that they are open and honest about it
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Stay calm and breath, its not the end of the year yet on Planet Earth.
Even still, no USB output is not the end of the world....enjoy your music and steer that energy towards something positive.
FWIW, a little more transparency via BSound wouldn't hurt.
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Software/firmware etc implementation is tough. Getting it right the first time counts. I hope they take their time and do it correctly. But I hope they will let us know directly when they release it.
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We are doing our best on point 1 Mark and will of course fulfill point 2.
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Tony W. - Your communication is a bit confusing. Are you saying you are doing your best with software development (point 1) and you will definitely communicate status of this feature (point 2). I can't speak to point 1 but I don't hear you communicating anything specifically regarding this feature. Your response is a bit vague and lacks detail. Can you point us to a more detailed status update on this feature? I am not upset or angry in any way but I upgraded from the Node 2i to the new Node specifically for the usb out feature. It has now been almost a year and I still don't have this feature. I am way beyond my return window so if the implementation was super awful I couldn't even return it at this point. I missed the asterisk that stated that this feature was pending a firmware update which is on me. I usually don't buy products that have unimplemented features that are important to me.
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Hi Chas
Our product development team continues to work on this eagerly awaited feature. We will of course announce on this thread when we have news to share.
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Thanks Tony.
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Ok... So it ain't 'by the end of the year' any longer. Counting R/D the Node N130 been in the works for 18 months. Got it Tony
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I don't think its about R/D, USB audio output has been established on all operating systems.....its part of the operating system stack....ALSA, Wasapi, Coreaudiod...for example. Surely BSound is not trying to re-invent the wheel and come up with something new. This is purely a business/financial/money issue, ROI makes things happen. The only 'other' thing that could be an issue is the actual hardware inside the Node 'chips' being able to stream audio. For example everyones Router has a USB port, but routers can't output audio to a Dac.
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edward , I mentioned R/D to give a sense of time... Just how long the USB Out been 'in the works' -- If Hardware is the problem I wish Bluesound would just say so. My 15 year old laptop had USB OUT. I hope it is NOT the Node Hardware
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Waiting 7 months for usb out….would be very disappointed if update doesn’t come end of year…..
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If this is the prevailing thought of BSound, then I have little hope.
When implemented - it will still be 1s and 0s so there are no audible difference in quality regardless of the ouput port - T.~
This comment tells me BSound sees little value in USB output in terms of having any benefit for audio. This looks past several facts.
1) Audiophiles have the deepest pockets of any audio listening group and are more than willing to purchase products at the slightest perceived improvement in sound.
2) Not just 1s and 0s, it has been shown over and over for years their is indeed an audible difference between USB and SPDIF output
3) USB output provides an additional means of flexibility
4) USB output can improve on the digital signal to a Dac when using a high-quality converter [this method is what 99% of listeners are looking/listening for]
5) USB output will put the node in a different class of product, this single output method will give the product legitimacy as at least a potential Audiophile-grade streamer
Its just 1s and 0s, think about that when you have a drink of your bottled water....its just Hs and 0s, there will be no difference in hydration regardless of bottle or tap...besides its probably just tap water in a bottle anyway.
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According to Tony W (Product Support Manager) last post today on this subject... I do NOT expect the USB Out firmware 'by the end of year' He is not saying that any longer. I guess Tony been out of the loop the last few months. Also Tony did not address (silence) the hardware problem speculation leading me to believe there is something to it. I'm sad... I will start my Amazon Return process of my Node.
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Hi Christian (et al)
On another thread, you were following and I redirected back to here this morning, I mentioned;
Thank you all for your enthusiasm - as mentioned elsewhere, please follow this link for updates on when the new NODE N130 will feature digital output via USB in a firmware update - as mentioned it is a priority of our Development Team to deliver this update as quickly as possible
In short, the issue of delivering audio output via USB is not one of hardware limitations.
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Technically not having USB output is indeed a hardware limitation.
According to the specs, the BSound-Node as this DAC, however it can never actually output that without USB. SPDIF has a limitation of 24/192. Furthermore, upgrading the internal Dac beyond that hardware limitation would seem to go against the 'just 1s and 0s' philosophy
DAC
32-Bit, 384kHz
Differential Output design1 -
My Denaphrips Dac just got a new USB firmware update. People tell me it's a huge improvement and the sound is amazing..
Ill take them at their word :p.0 -
There are 14 days left in 2021. You also have 14 days left to become a company that makes reliable products. I hope to be able to connect a new DAC to my node 3 within this year...
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I will be very disappointed if there's no usb output this year. It is too late for me to return my node for a refund. @Christian Allen , what will you replace your node with?
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I purchased this new Node along with a SMSL SU9 DAC for what was for me alot of money, three months ago in anticipation of the "promised future usb output". I have been following this thread very closely hoping that there will be some good news. No direct words from Bluesound, always step siding the subject. All I can say now is that I do not trust the promises of Bluesound anymore. This will be the last bluesound product I will ever buy and if I have the opportunity I will sell mine.
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We all will get it with with Node 4 and hopefully without asterisks but who knows :)
Personally, I do not believe it will be delivered this year. I got 2 items for multiroom and both required USB audio output on my setup.
I did mistake going with Bluesound Node.
Bluesound Product Management did mistake with fooling their customers playing short term and deliver product with asterisks, long term - trust is lost, so many disappointed people.
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This is nice example how branding is ruined by minute and thoughtless Product Management decisions, by lack of proper estimation and subsequent communication even if mistake is done.
Negative is in social media and everywhere around this, but this is not the biggest problem, biggest problem is that your reputation and your customer is lost while you Bluesound were hunting for quick wins / $.
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