Node 2i fails to connect to an External DAC via Coaxial cable

Answered

Gerry O'Dowd

• November 12, 2020 11:11

My Node 2i does not seem to be working when I try and bypass the internal DAC and use an external one such as the Meridian Director DAC via a Coaxial Cable.

 

I looked at some of the responses on the Forum and note that other people seem to be having this same problem.

 

Not sure if I am missing something but my understanding of how this transition should work is that from a working Node 2i platform, all I need to do is connect a Coaxial cable from the Node 2i to the Merdian DAC and move the Analogue Audio output connections (2 x RCA) over from the NODE 2i to the Meridian DAC and everything should work.......is this correct, or does some other software switch have to happen as well?  NB I do not have any MQA files to worry about so I do not need any other distraction

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• Official comment

  

  Sam R.

  • November 12, 2020 13:41

  Hello Gerry, 

  You wouldn't even need to remove the RCA cables since the all the outputs on the back of the NODE are live and all fire output when streaming. No settings need to be changed, just run the wires. (You could toggle Settings > Player > Audio > Audio Clock Trim on the NODE just to see if that makes any difference)

  If you find the RCA out of the NODE works (and the Headphone out, just for good measure), then it would seem the NODE's running and that there might be a setting in the Meridian DAC that needs to be switched. 

  I would also recommend trying the Optical out of the NODE into the Meridian DAC to see if that works. 

  Regards,
  Sam R.

   
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  Gerry O'Dowd

  • November 12, 2020 15:03

  Hi Sam,

  Thanks, but to be clear, when I just connect the Coax from the Node to the Dac, the node will still push out audio from the Nodes DAC to the Nodes RCA sockets.

   At the same time, it will push the digital signal to the Meridian DAC which will do the conversion to Analogue and push the signal out of the Merdian DACs RCA Outputs.

  If this is correct then I can do A/B comparisons by selecting the appropriate output stage on the Pre Amp I presume?

  Pending your response, I will hunt down an optical cable and try that, and borrow a different DAC and try that as well.

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  Sam R.

  • November 12, 2020 15:34

  That's correct, the NODE will push audio through all the back outputs at all times (while streaming, of course) -- and the A/B testing case you've mentioned is my go-to way to compare ;)

  The NODE 2i should come with an Optical cable packed in, as well as a TOSLink adapter if needed. 

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