NODE Icon XLR issues

Answered
Andrew
  • Edited

When using the XLR outputs to my power amplifiers, I experienced constant buzzing/noise ONLY during pause/stop states (no buzz during actual playback). After troubleshooting, I discovered this was due to the streamer's output stage design not properly handling idle states on the XLR outputs. Problem details: - Buzzing only occurs when music is paused or no signal is being sent - Clean playback during actual music (no noise) - Buzzing is present through speakers at significant volume - Issue appears related to XLR outputs not maintaining proper balanced state during idle Solution: Switching to RCA connections completely resolved the issue. While XLR is typically preferred for noise rejection, in this case the streamer's implementation of XLR outputs during idle states appears to be problematic. The RCA connection provides clean, noise-free operation during both playback and pause states. This might be useful information for other users experiencing similar issues with XLR outputs on this device.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • Official comment
    Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    HI Andrew

    Can you please send us some log files so we may take a closer look. We would also like to know the make and model of your power amplifier.

    Please select Settings, Send Support Request in the BluOS App so we make take a closer look.

  • Andrew

    Done.

    Thank you

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  • Darth

    I am also having similar issue and after emailing back/forth with support, it seems a potential hardware issue and they suggested to just return the device.

    Googling I noticed people have had similar issues with node units in the past https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360028076813-Buzzing-humming-sound-on-connection-to-amplifier

     

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  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Bluesound Players do use a floating ground by design. That being said the referenced Community post does not speak to this issue as it predates the NODE ICON.

    Thanks for understanding.

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  • Alan Dang

    Tony, can you ask your engineers if it is possible to treat the ground of the RCA pre-out of the Node Icon to tie the ground to the ground of an amp? I have purchased my Node Icon but am still waiting on fulfillment so I don’t know if there is a more convenient way to ground the Node Icon.

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  • Darth
    • Edited

    Guessing thats the potential design flaw? The pin 1 of XLR needs to be grounded to chassis and/or provided as an external ground lug? It seems more people reporting this issue https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/28778566289815-Just-installed-my-new-Node-Icon-getting-hum-through-XLR-connectors-some-sort-of-ground-loop-problem

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  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    As suggested in my official comment and in the other thread you referenced... if you are encountering this issue, please use the Send Support Request option in the App or e-mail support@bluesound.com and we will be happy to arrange a Support Crew walk you through the issue.

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