McIntosh C2600 connection question

Answered
John Dorr

I just purchased the Bluesound Node 2i and I want to try several ways of connecting to my McIntosh C2600 Pre Amp. So far I have successfully connected using the Coaxial (single RC jack). I have not had any luck using the Audio (L & R) connection to an unbalanced (L & R) connection to the C2600. I also want to try the optical connection. Ultimately I want to listen to each connection to compare sound quality. Can you explain which connection uses the Bluesound DAC and which uses the C2600 DAC?  I plan on primarily streaming music from my iPhone using Tidal.

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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • Official comment
    Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi John

    The RCA Analogue Outs use the 24/192 Burr Brown on board DAC of the NODE 2i. The COAX and Optical Outs bypass this DAC and rely on the DAC on the other end of that digital cable.

    As the McIntosh c2600 is not MQA compliant, you will only receive a single unfold up to 24/96 (depending on the recording) using digital outs on MQA compliant - check out www.mqa.co.uk for more details on this.

  • John Dorr

    Hi Tony,

    Thanks for clearing that up for me. I'm baffled as to why McIntosh has chosen to not partner with MQA. When I tried the RCA analog out the source was not recognized by my C2600, do I need to change a setting on the Node 2i?  Apologies for being an audio novice!

    John

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  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    There are no settings changes required in the NODE 2i... but... in the NODE 2i Audio Settings, are you set to variable output? If you do - you have double volume sliders happening...

    If you want the McIntosh to control the volume, please set the NODE 2i to Fixed Output (it will be 100% - there is no setting). You will lose volume control in the App as volume is then controlled by the C2600.

     

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  • John Dorr

    Hi Tony,

    I can not find a Variable Output setting on the Blu OS app. and I do not have double sliders for volume control. I also do not see a fixed out put setting in audio setting, etc. Is there another portal to control the node 2i that I am not seeing?

     

    Thanks,

     

    John

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  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi John

    In the BluOS App, Settings, Player, Audio, set Output level Fixed to ON (slide switch to right and it will light up blue in the mobile App).

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