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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Official comment
Make sure you are using fixed volume on the NODE.
If that does not help then try the analogue outputs into the H95 bypassing the DAC in the amp and see if the distortion occurs.
NB The H95 does not support MQA (unless there has been an update)
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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 -
For full MQA decoding using the NODE you have to use the Analogue outputs, it is not fully unfolded on the digital outputs.
In your case MQA external DAC must be turned off in the BluOS App.
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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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No confusion, have a read of the OP as he is using the Radio Paradise MQA streams.
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He said no problems with Radio Paradise. Problem is with Deezer.
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Yes he does have a problem with Deezer which I am helping with. He is also listening to MQA which his DAC does not support so there is an issue in understanding what the DAC is capable of and so for the full unfold he has to use the analog outputs and need to ensure that he is aware of the limitations.
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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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Analogue outputs?
But before testing analogue do try another digital cable, it does not have to be a digital cable but one side of an interconnect will do.
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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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Couple of other things…
Grab a free trial for Deezer, Qobuz or Amazon Music. These all have higher quality than Deezer so may show up issues.
If the Cisco switch is a managed version, then for testing bypass it.
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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 -
Analogue out, bypassing the DAC in the Hegel?
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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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Sorry missed that, only route left would be to see if there have been any firmware updates for the H95 and perhaps drop Hegel an email.
EDIT
What about trying the NODE to the H95 using USB?
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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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Do see if there is a firmware update for the H95 before proceeding.
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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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The newer NODE (N130) does support USB output.
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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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Looks like the amp is designed to connect a computer.
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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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If not already done so, in the BluOS App Please select Settings, Send Support Request so the Bluesound Support Crew can review the log file and take a closer look.
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