NODE Icon XLR issues
Answered
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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Official comment
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.
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Done.
Thank you
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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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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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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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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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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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I got my new Node Icon today. I have the same problem with the XLR outputs. When the music stops and the device may goes idle, it starts humming.
This is not good. I have active loudspeakers and those should switch off automatically after a silence period. Now icon has humming all the time when not playing.
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Which speakers are you using?
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The humming was tested with Genelec 8331A, 6040R, and G5 speakers. All exhibited humming, though the level varied depending on the sensitivity setting of each speaker.
In this video, idle mode and music playback are toggled several times. The volume is set to zero, so no sound is heard when playing music:
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@Ilkka I also have genelecs and there is no real solution to this issue as such bluesound support just recommended I return the device. Even their potential solution assumes there is an RCA input available to connect to which genelecs don't have. Using an RCA to XLR cable won't work either as XLR inputs are already in use. I returned mine and now running genelecs with a Wiim Ultra + Quoloos QU02 USB to AES converter. Combined cost is less than Node icon + you reduce wires by using AES (daisy chain) + you keep everything digital till Genelecs own DSP converts to analog. You can search a similar discussion on ASR forums.
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I got just an answer from Bluesound customer support. They replied that this problem can be solved by a ground wire from Bluesound to Genelec. The ground can be taken from USB or RCA connectors. I will try tomorrow and let you know the results.
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Yes.. as it was mentioned already before in this thread. We need a ground wire between Node Icon and Genelecs. I connected the RCA connector’s ground to the XLR connector’s pin #1 on the Node Icon side. That removed the humming in the idle mode.
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Hallo I think the Icon has an internal hardware problem, I have measured the xlr and rca connectors and can measure that the Ground does not have the same potential. I think that's what's causing the noise. Is it something bluesound will fix or do I have to fix it myself?
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Hi Michel
Asked and answered; https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/articles/29017142953495
Bluesound Players using a floating ground by design. There is nothing to 'fix'. Consider joining the two devices using a single RCA connector to ground the amplifier to the NODE ICON.
Just a reminder that XLRs do not provide any sonic performance improvement in runs shorter than 2m (6-7'). The advantage of using XLR cables is over long runs where the NODE ICON and amplifier are not co-habitated.
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Ok so XLR connectors Ground are totally isolated from each other and to the chassis, is that right?
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Hi, this is my "fix". Of course, it is not 100% OK but the humming went smaller. Not sure if there is still very low-level noise.
The shield from the RCA is connected to the XLR connectors' ground pin. Maybe Bluesoud should make a switch to toggle between floating and grounded balanced XLR outputs in the next models if they like to have the floating design too..?
By the way these speakers have only XLR inputs.
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"Just a reminder that XLRs do not provide any sonic performance improvement in runs shorter than 2m (6-7'). The advantage of using XLR cables is over long runs where the NODE ICON and amplifier are not co-habitated."
Tony W. yes they are. Look up singnal to noise ratio XLR vs RCA
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By connecting the ground pins of the RCA outputs to the chassis of each monoblock amplifier, I eliminated the humming noise, resulting in a silent audio output.
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guys I used 12 gauge wire
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@Mahir Jamakovic
Could you explain better what you did and how you did it? It's just that I don't see your photos clearly and I may be a little clumsy. I assume that your amplifiers are physically connected to the ground line connector
in your house, right?0 -
I assume that your amplifiers are physically connected to the ground line connector
in your house, right? NOI connected the chassis of the NODE ICON streamer to the chassis of the monoblocks, which resolved the mismatch between the connected components and eliminated the humming noise from the speakers. One end of wire is connected to ground port of RCA connector on NODE ICON and other wire is connected to chassis of monoblock, simple as that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2soKg9JAUA
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