External DAC -> Cracks/Pops Node n130

Answered
Permanently deleted user
I performed tests together with a Denafrips Ares II with RCA and XLR outputs (each time exclusively) and as inputs I‘ve tried coaxial (Node n130), optical (Node n130) and USB (from a MacBook). All combinations produced cracking/popping sounds when the sample rate changed from song to song. The USB connection had almost no issues. When I bypassed the Ares II and connect the Node (n130) via RCA directly to my amplifier I got no cracks/pops at all. But since this doesn‘t include the coaxial or optical interface on the Node it doesn‘t say that much at all. You see, that even with all these tests I cannot 100% say that the issue is at the side of the Ares II or at the side of the Node. I would be glad if anyone of you has a solution for this issue. Thank you in advance!
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • Official comment
    Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi Paul

    We can confirm your issue is with the Ares II as this is not the first time we have heard of this problem. It does not happen on every external DAC, only certain ones. The Ares II we have heard of it happening before. I would contact them.

  • Andrea Crema
    • Edited

    Tony, I’m using the Ares II via Coax and have no such issue. On another thread there was discussions around audio clock Trim, maybe this needs to be reintroduced?

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  • Sam R.

    Clock Trim wouldn't do the trick if the issue is crackling between changing sample rates, would also not be the case if the issue if it's not happening for your Ares II but is on Paul's. 

    I've heard some Ares II DACs distortion with the NODE before as well, this forum in particular is one I ran into in the past (not the same issue as Paul's but same equipment), contacting Ares's support team would be strongly recommended.

    0
  • Permanently deleted user
    • Edited

    Denfrips is working on a firmware update. They already sent one but it didn‘t solve the problem. Still waiting for the new one. Video of the issue here: https://youtu.be/0QuyX709Azg

    1
  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Great news Paul - glad to hear they are on it...

    0
  • Thomas McCarthy

    Keep us posted :)

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  • Thomas McCarthy
    • Edited

    Not trying to start something but this is just an observation. I notice this popping and crackling issue come up a lot with bluesound node owners. I've also noticed Bluesounds response is always the external DACs fault. While this may be true... I havent noticed many complaints about popping or crackling when I read and research other streamers...high and low end when used with external DACs. There must be something in the way bluesound does things that makes these DAC companies have to do cartwheels to get everything to play properly.

    3
  • Mikko

    Old thread, but facing still facing this same issue with Node N130 and Dspeaker X2 external DAC. The issue started suddenly, probably with some firmware update and has been persistent ever since. Both DAC and Node have the latest firmware installed.

    Spotify/Tidal -> Node -> Optical -> DAC: Cracks

    TV -> HDMI ARC -> Node -> Optical -> DAC: No issue

    Spotify/Tidal -> Node-> USB cable -> DAC: No issue

    Needless the say that this happens with both settings of clock trim option.

     

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  • Fredrik Scheide

    Same here. I have it connected to a Lyngdorf TDAI 2170.

     

    Spotify/Tidal -> Node -> Optical -> Amp: Pops/cracks

    Spotify/Tidal -> Node -> Coax -> Amp: Pops/cracks

    Spotify/Tidal -> Node-> USB cable -> DAC: No issue

    TV-> HDMI eARC-> Node -> USB-> Amp: No issue

     

    I wouldn't mind if I wasn't forced to use fixed volume/digital passthrough with USB. I want to be able to control the volume with my phone, and since my amp has no streaming capabilities, I'm out of luck...

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