Best way to connect my new Node 2i to Yamaha CX-A5200 Pre/Pro?

Answered
Bernard Fonseca

Hi,

I recently bought a node 2i for dedicated streaming and I was wondering which output should sound better playing through my Yamaha pre pro? I currently only have the included rcas that came with the node 2i and was wondering if there is a benefit in using the coax out instead. Should the DAC in my Yamaha sound better than the node's? I'm sorry if this type of question has been asked before but I'm not knowledgeable in this and wanted recommendations to get the best sound possible with my current setup.

I only stream from Tidal and have the HIFI subscription which includes MQA.

 

If it matters:

Amp: Mcintosh MC8207
Speakers: KEF R11
I like to listen with my two subs (B&W PV1D) in stereo mode

 

Thanks in advance!

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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • Official comment
    Sam R.

    Hello Bernard, 

    As you know, connecting the Node to your Yamaha receiver via RCA would use the Node's DAC whereas connecting over coax would use the Yamaha's DAC. 

    As for which would sound better: this would be almost entirely based on how it sounds to you. My best recommendation would be for you to test both setups (connect over RCA vs coax) and let your ears be the final judge.

    The Node will unfold the MQA in either case (unless you explicitly set it not to), so you don't need to worry about that while testing. 

    Regards,
    Sam R.

  • Bernard Fonseca

    Hello Sam,

    Thanks for your reply. So if I use coax out, the Node 2i will fully process the MQA tracks and give me up to 24/192? I don't mind using the RCA out, but my Yamaha does not allow me to use subs in "pure direct mode" and with pure direct off the sound quality is much lower.

    Ideally I was hoping that coax would send a digital signal to the yamaha and allow it to do the D/A conversion without having to use pure direct mode hence allowing me to use the subs. So if I do this will I still get the full MQA benefit?

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  • Sam R.

    Hello Bernard, 

    That's about right; you can connect the Node to your Yamaha over coax, so the Node would do the initial MQA unfold and send the rest of the digital signal untouched so your Yamaha could do the D/A Conversion. 

    Regards,
    Sam R.

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  • Marek

    "So if I use coax out, the Node 2i will fully process the MQA tracks and give me up to 24/192?"  - will the coax out from Node 2i really process up to 24/192 signal ? I was under impression that coax/optical would cap at 24/96 ? Please confirm or deny ?

    Thanks,

    Marek

     

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  • Oz

    Hi Marek,

    This is also my experience - I connected my Node 2i through digital coax to my Lyngdorf TDAI-2170. It seems that the Node 2i only does one fold in the MQA process and is indeed limited to 24/96. 

    Mind you - it still sounds very good, but it saddens me a bit that there seems to be some quality left on the table. I'm not sure why this limitation is in place. In general the forum moderators will push you to use RCA if you want the Node 2i DAC to do all the MQA folds. 

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  • Marek

    Thanks Oz.

    What's your experience in feeding Node 2i signal via analogue RCAs when it comes to volume control ? I am currently feeding Node 2i into KEF LS50w power/integrated speakers and I am struggling understanding the volume control relationship with this setup. Do I use volume on KEF speakers or do I use volume control on Node 2i or within BlueOS or Roon etc...

    Is there a best practice within industry ? Do I setup volume at KEFs at half let's say and then crank additional volume app with Node2i or BlueOS app or Roon. It is hard to understand that as when I increase volume on both KEF speakers and Node2i at time membranes of the KEFs start to violently shake/dance and I am not sure if this is normal or not. Perhaps I am missing some settings on KEFs or Node2i ?

    And words of wisdom from you please ?

     

     

     

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