Node 2i volume difference optical (TV) vs. streaming

Answered
Klaus Messlinger

There were similar posts, but none answered this issue for Node 2i:

My Node 2i is connected to my amp via analog out.

I use it (a) to stream music from my NAS (works like a treat). And I (b) also have my TV hooked up to the optical input.

But here the problem is that the TV volume the Node sends to my amp is much lower than the music volume.

Now, each time I adjust the volume so that I get a normal TV sound, and if I switch back to my music library, my speakers wake up the neighbours.

I thought if I input an optical signal (digital input), the Node 2i would take care of the volume, and both sources would play at a similar level. But apparently, I'm wrong.

PS: I have created a preset for TV, but that requires several clicks to activate which is even less practical than changing the volume each time I switch sources. And it does not lower levels for music playback, which is my key problem.

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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • Official comment
    Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi Klaus

    Sorry we missed that - the quieter audio from the TV is not uncommon in the industry as DOLBY and Television Audio Mixes are often much quieter than 2 channel music to compensate for dynamic range of Action Movies.

    Consider programming Preset 1 (Your TV Preset) as the on/off button of your TV; https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/articles/206809498

  • Jeff Burke

    Thanks Tony, appreciate the info. I'll look into it further for sure.

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  • Klaus Messlinger

    Thanks Tony, using my remote control was indeed how I solved the issue for me.

    1
  • Jeff Burke

    I am having the exact same issue as this. Lately, it's become increasingly annoying. I have a Node 2, a Samsung Frame TV connected via optical, ROON streaming to the Node and analogue out to my integrated amp. The volume difference between the two is quite large. Approx. 12-1 o'clock compared to 8-9 o'clock on the volume dial.

    I'm even at the point now where I am going to try an external DAC to see if the levels come closer between sources.

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  • Jeff Burke

    Thanks Tony, appreciate the response. Would something like DIRAC help normalize volumes from a music stream and TV audio mix? Something like the NAD C658?

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  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    No and Yes...

    DIRAC cannot make significant changes to volume output but it can leverage the differences in the mix for a better experience creating 1 filter for Music and 1 for TV watching (maybe 2 for TV watching if you are watching talking head dialogue content vs Tony Stark and Capt. Rogers saving the world... again...). If you are thinking that route and looking at NAD's lineup (which we are big fans of), you may want to look at a T778 versus a C658. The T778 is better at 2 channel audio than the C658 might be at multi-channel.

    Again this won't solve your primary problem but may enhance your secondary or tertiary ones.

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