Noise from headphone socket on Node 2i - crackling and popping

Answered
Nick Dunkin

Hi,

I have recently purchased a Node 2i.  I experience no issues with the unit playing through the RCA output to my Naim amplifier.  However I find the headphone socket exhibits a constant low level background noise consisting of hissing and popping (a lot like circuit noise).  On my Meze 99 Classics the noise is a little distracting but on my IEMs the noise is considerably more noticeable.  Neither headphones produce the same noise when plugging into an alternative source i.e. Dragonfly RED DAC.

To be clear, the noise is experienced when the unit is powered up but not playing music.  Once playing, the music will usually drown out the noise. 

I had expected the headphone output to be completely silent, is that a fair assumption?

I believe that my unit may be faulty in some way, but Amazon requested I reach out for Manufacturer support before returning the item to them.

Please let me know if there's anything I can try.

Thanks

Nick Dunkin

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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • Official comment
    Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi Nick

    Sounds like you have a grounding issue. This "buzzing" your referring to is due to the way in which Naim grounds some of their amps. We have reached out to Naim directly regarding this issue and received the following response.

    "If the source itself is causing the hum. This probably means it has an earth connection to its internal ground. With the source still connected to the pre-amp, turn it off. If the hum goes then the unit has a problem and should be fixed. If the hum stays, unplug its mains lead. If the hum goes then the cause of the problem is the earth connection. Consult the unit's manufacturer to find out how to remove the earth to ground connection internally. NEVER JUST REMOVE THE EARTH CONNECTION FROM THE MAINS PLUG."

    With other Naim users who have contacted us in the past regarding this same issue, connecting Naim to acquire ground adapter plug has helped to resolve this issue.

  • Nick Dunkin

    Hi Tony,

    Thank you for the prompt reply.  Unfortunately I can confirm that I still hear the noises when all other audio and optical outputs are disconnected from the Node 2i. 

    So that's just with the Node 2i powered up and connected to my WiFi and headphones only.  The Naim is powered off and unplugged.

    I have tried multiple power sockets (with and without surge protection) in my house with the same result.  I have even tried using an iFi Audio AC iPurifier, that also didn't change anything. 

    I have no reason to believe that my home electrics are faulty but is there any way to confirm whether that is the culprit?

    Thanks again,

    Nick

     

     

     

     

     

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  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi Nick

    I am escalating this to our Support Crew - they will reach out to you to troubleshoot 1:1 in the next day or so. Thanks for your patience.

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  • Neil Clarke

    I also have exactly same issue and have tried all the same troubleshooting techniques. I had this with my Node 2 and traded it in specifically because of this. The Node 2i is actually worse.

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  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi Neil

    Same advice, please select Help, Send Support Request so we may have a closer look

     

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  • Tomáš Jeřábek

    Hi, i think that have same issue. RCA output is clear. Even when a plug headphones to amplifier the output is absolutely clear but if i plug headfones to front 3,5 jack of node 2i, there is little noice and buzzing.

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  • Nick Dunkin

    Update: I received a replacement unit from Amazon.  The replacement unit also suffered from the exact same noise on the headphone socket. 

    I still love the sound of the Node 2i for all the other (non-headphone) use cases, so I'm resigned to just accepting the headphone socket noise.  I may just add a separate headphone amp later on.

    Thanks

     

     

     

     

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  • Sam harvey

    Any update on this Bluesound, or idea of what could be causing it? Along with the static-like noise there's low-level beeping noise that seems to match the light phase of the ethernet cable.

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  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi Sam

    Multiple devices in your environment feature a floating ground. Please contact your amplifier company about grounding your amplifier chassis.

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  • Sam harvey

    After putting up with the issue for a long time I finally found a way to fix it (for me at least). Bought a ground loop isolator on Amazon for £10 that fits into the 3.5mm jack on the front of the node and the popping/hissing low level background noise has disappeared. Hope this works for anyone else with the same issue.

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