Impact of fixed optical/coax output setting on headphones output and bluetooth
Answered
Hi,
I understood that when I set on Node 2i the optical/coax output to "fixed" (what I have to do because my amplifier also controls the volume for CD, Phono, TV) the RCA analog output is automatically set to "fixed", i.e. maximum volume.
But what about
- the headphones output - does it then also continuously play with maximum volume (which in my opinion would make no sense for a headphones output)?
- the bluetooth connection - is it's volume controlled by the sender (Node 2i) or the receiver (headphones)?
Best regards, Frank
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Official comment
Hi Frank
If you are using fixed output with an amplifier, wouldn't you also be using the headphone jack on that amplifier or receiver?
Otherwise, you will have to toggle between variable and fixed output...
Comment actions -
Hi Tony,
Thanks for your prompt anwer. For sure I would - if I could: My "amplifier" is a Dynaudio Xeo/Connect sytem. Digital and analog inputs but no output - except the sound from the loadspeakers :-).
If I interpret you correctly the DAC for the Node 2i's RCA analog output drives also the headphones amplifier (which implements no additional/dedicated volume control, e.g. the analog one in the headphones amplifier IC - I read it's a TPA6130).
But I also understood that if headphones are used the RCA analog output is switched off. So wouldn't it be possible to automatically (by software) switch to variable output if headphones are plugged in? From my point of view this would be much more convenient than changing the setting in the options. And as I already wrote: In my opinion a fixed maximum volume makes no sense for a headphones output.
What about the bluetooth connection - is it's volume controlled by the sender (Node 2i) or the receiver (headphones)?
Best regards, Frank
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Hi Tony,
I received following answer from your Support Crew after just 1(!) hour: "...when headphones are plugged into the front headphone jack volume is automatically switched to Variable if configured to Fixed within the Audio Settings of the NODE2. Also volume control for your Bluetooth Headphones would be separate from the Bluesound Player".
Exactly what I wished is already implemented!!!
I highly appreciate Bluesound's spirit of fast reaction combined with customer oriented behavior - on development (Amazon Music HD as an example) as well as on support side. Please keep it as it is!
Node 2i is now on my short-term shopping list (it was already the favorite and highly recommended by my local dealer).
Thanks again, Frank
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I am having an issue when I listen to audio from the front headphone output the volume is very low. Max volume is not very loud. This happens only when the optical input is selected which is running out of the back of my sony tv. I have the digital volume out set to max on my sony tv but it still will not get very loud. I am using bowers and wilkins px7 hard wired via aux cable into the front of the node 2i. Thanks for any help!
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Hello Preston,
If you have already turned up the audio on your source device (in this case your TV) and also from the BluOS app directly, then, unfortunately, there is nothing else I can suggest for you.When using an external input, sometimes the volume may be slightly degraded either by the cable being used or by the output itself. After the audio is processed by the Node, your connected headphones could reduce the volume even further based on their input resistance.
The only work-around for this that I am aware of would be to use an external headphone preamplifier to increase the volume output of your Node 2i before reaching your headphones.
Regards,
Wesley P.
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