Bluesound Node with Dezeer (HiFi quality) random distortion/ clipping
Answered
Hi,
When using Bluesound Node, with Dezeer (HiFi quality), there is a random distortion/clipping.
My Node is connected to Hegel H95 and I'm using Hegel's DAC. Connection is over coax cable. Node internet connection is over ethernet cable. I am also using a cisco switch to elimnate jitter.
The problem also persists when Node is connected over wifi.
There is no problem when I listen to Radio Paradise MQA over Node.
There is no problem when I play CD's which eliminates speaker / amplifier problem potentials.
So, it seems like there is an issue with Node with Deezer (Hifi) streaming.
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Will do the tests and share the results. Thanks for the quick reply.
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For MQA, its seems like node decodes the signal and sends to amp.
From Hegel Product Support Page:
MQA Core Decoder
This is when the decoding of the signal is done in the player. Players include among others Tidal, Audirvana, and Roon.
These players unfold the MQA file one time and produce a signal that is "higher than CD-quality", either 88.2kHz or 96kHz.
All Hegel devices with a network or USB input can receive this signal.0 -
Deezer does not have MQA, afaik, maybe you are confusing it with Tidal?
I used Deezer HiFi for 1 year, did not have these problems but that was in the old BluOs interface 3. I used 2 external DACs. I have used Tidal with non mqa Dacs without any issues.
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He said no problems with Radio Paradise. Problem is with Deezer.
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Thanks for the great inputs on MQA capabilities. I will comply with them. Tonight, when I get back home, I will check for the fixed volume setting and I will share the results when able.
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If he uses analogue out then he won't be using his DAC. It should still play fine even if his DAC does not support MQA, just won't get any benefit of MQA. I would still used my ext. DAC instead of the Node one.
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Last night I have tested again with Deezer with the following node audio settings:
- Tone Controlls - off
- Subwoofer - off
- Replay gain - disabled
- Output mode - stereo
- Mqa ext dac - off
- Output level fixed - on
- Audio clock trim - off
Unfortunately the problem persists. Roughly around a minute or so (not periodicy though) there happens to be skipping/clipping like distortion in the music. I do not think it is frequency related since when I play the song again and again, same song does not distort at the same points.
I have also tested with Spotify and found no problems.
I have also tested with tidal and qobuz with a friend's streamer (different brand) (to check whether its a network performance issue) and found no problems.
Also I have played with the audio clock trim settings, and it did not make a difference.
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My plan for the next test session will be as follows: :)
1. Test with optical audio output connection
2. Analog connection
3. Try deezer hifi over mac mini computer connected to amp over usb cable.
I have already tried with another digital cable and that's no joy.
But having no issues when listening to spotify and radio paradise, it seems like the problem might be with deezer - bluesound interface. But nevertheless let's not jump to conclusions.
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I have already tested with Qobuz Studio tier subscription. No problems found.
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Tonight’s test results:
1. Mac Mini usb connection to amp, local itunes library streaming (apple lossless). No issues.
2. Node connected over analog rca to amp. Played deezer hifi with no issues
3. node connected over digital coax to amp byepassing node’s dac and played radio paradise, Tune in, spotify, qobuz - no issues
4. node connected over digital coax to amp byepassing node’s dac and played Deezer - same problem persists— could not test optical output
My conclusion: When node’s dac is bypassed and deezer hifi is streamed, there is a problem.
Easy solution: Give up deezer..
I wonder if anyone is able to replicate the problem?0 -
Hi Korhan
I'd read the fine print of your third-party DAC. Do not bother testing Optical Input as according to its documentation, it does not support beyond 24/96 through TOSLink.
If you switch to TIDAL from Deezer, know your DAC also does not support MQA Playback.
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Seppi,
As I have mentioned in my previous comment, I have tested Analogue out, bypassing the DAC in the Hegel. There seems to be no problem.
Tony,
Thanks for the recommendation.
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One last test plan:
1. Test Deezer Hifi with another streamer - this will hopefully show whether it's a Node problem or Hegel.
As I have mentioned before, I have already tested with another streamer but by using Qobuz and Tidal and there was no problem. But this did not isolate the Deezer problem since Qobuz also worked fine with Node.
2. Node -Deezer - USB - Hegel combination.
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Wilco
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I have updated Hegel with the latest firmware. Node with Deezer streaming over coax still has the same issues.
I have connected my Mac mini to Hegel over USB and played Deezer. NO ISSUES. Everything works fine.
I could not do the Node -Deezer - USB - Hegel combination test since Node USB is input only (verified by the data sheet)
Apart from Deezer, everything else (airplay, Spotify, qobuz, tidal, radio paradise, tune-in) streamed over Node works fine. And since Deezer also works fine over Mac mini-amp connection the most probable outcome of ALL my tests is Node has issues streaming Deezer HIFI over coax connection.
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When I have connected my Node 130 over USB to amp, red light started blinking and could not hear any audio. Am I missing something?
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Yes you are correct:
"Using the USB Connection
When you connect your Hegel device to a
computer with a USB cable (not included),
the Hegel will automatically install itself as
a USB soundcard on all newer versions of
Windows, macOS, and most Linux operat-
ing systems."0 -
I am hoping that Bluesound engineers will look into it.
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Hi Korhan
Please see my comments earlier in this thread. Distortion is being caused by the product performing DSP. Since the NODE DSP is being bypassed and the third party DAC is handling this in COAX and since it is only one service having this problem, please, as suggested, contact your DAC manufacturer.
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Tony thank for the reply. It's a difficult case to isolate. Assuming the problem resides on the third party DAC, wouldn't it produce the same problem when mac mini is playing Deezer over USB to the amp?
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Not necessarily... two things could be happening
- USB and COAX have two different DSP paths
- If your 3rd Party DAC required a driver installed on your Mac Mini... then likely the Ma cis doing DSP and sending a SPDIF or PCM to the DAC... in short you might as well use Optical
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