USB output is here
Answered
Updated my Node last night to add usb output, sounds great so far. Note for Devs - it didn't automatically select my dac (Musical Fidelity mx-dac) as the output destination like it should. Initially I had no sound and had to go in and select the DAC manually via app settings, even though usb was the only output connected. Also see that there is no option to select maximum volume as a default, is that deliberate? Otherwise, good job, thanks.
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Official comment
Hi John
Depending on your external third-party DAC, the NODE N130 should detect the USB DAC and automatically support it. If it does not, you will have to manually select it under Settings, Audio in the BluOS App. When USB DAC is selected, all other outputs (Analog and Digital) are dormant. To awaken those, you will have to disable USB DAC in the Audio Settings. USB as an audio output cannot be used at the same time as other outputs. It is strictly either/or. Also note that when USB DAC is enabled, audio output is FIXED (100%) on the NODE and cannot be adjusted.
Between BluOS' QA Lab and in conjunction with MQA's Lab (thanks guys) we have tested a very large sample of the most popular DACs on the market without issue but please check with your DAC Manufacturer that your DAC is also on their latest firmware. -
Unfortunately the USB output doesn't work properly for me. I get crackles about every 20-30 seconds.
I have connected Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 to the USB output of the Node.
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I'm in France and doesn't have the update for the moment.. I'm on the v3. 16.3
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3.16.3 is the updated version
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Thanks, I made it, it work well with my mx dac
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Thanks for this update. And now the bugs:
- Node can't get talk propertly with DAC D90MQA, they can't agree on sampling rate and decode MQA propertly. DAC swiches from 44.1 to 88.2 and back, and again, again, again, and there is no sound. There is no diff if im using a Roon, or BluOS app.
- other sites without MQA seem to work fine
- you can hear small crackling sounds frequentlyRegards.
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Tried to restart both of them. It doesnt helped. DAC is propertly discovered by Node.
DAC switches: PCM -> MQA -> PCM -> MQA - PCM - MQA....and cant estabilish.Its going like that only on MQA streams (Tidal MQA songs, RadioParadise MQA). When using regular PCM streams it works ok.
I have tried other sources - Sotm Sms-200 UltraNeo and Lumin using Roon, Lumin App and mConnect, and Volumio Primo with MQA support and when DAC is connected to them, it works good.
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Done.
Devices restarted, played MQA stream, and ticket submitted.
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It really sounds like they have asound set at plughw instead of hw.
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Similar Issues trying to output Tidal MQA out to Zen Dac V2 with pops and cracks - very flaky
Node recognised the Zen Dac ok but does not give you the option for the Dac to unpack the MQA either - The Zen Dac will illuminate Purple once an MQA track is playing - no joy
I do not use Roon
Obvious bugs and hopeful there is a fix shortly - ticket sent
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I think they just need to research how other end-points configure their USB output with Linux. No need to try to reinvent the wheel and no need to let pride [I can do it myself] stop progress.
BSound uses Linux, so its all do'able and has been done.
If they let people ssh into the Node their own user base would likely troubleshoot and solve a ton of problems faster than their own devs [and for free]. Squeezebox did it and thrived because of it, keep a hard reset functionality just in case a user screws things up they can get back to square-one. Google is another example with their AOSP which gives folks a playground to create ROMS for Android. Tons of free dev work and new feature creation with these ROMS which Google cherry-picks to bake into the mainstream Android. Again just copy whats been done....it works.
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I think the work was delayed a bit (originally USB probably was supposed to be in October, and MQA for USB in December) and they just decided to release an unfinished update before the end of the year.
Gentlemens: it's probably better to temporarily disable MQA on USB and work on it. I use your devices for this because they have a great application and they always work properly ..... don't spoil this image .....0 -
I can hear those clicks/pops/crackles just with normal Flac files (no MQA). Therefore disabling MQA doesn’t help.
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Yes, clicks, crackles can be heared on all streams.
MQA doesnt work propertly at all.It just switching PCM - MQA - PCM - MQA - PCM, and cant negotiate sampling frequency.1 -
I have the pops and crackles also using Roon and Qobuz. Upsampling seems to be a temporary solution.
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Hi all and thanks for your enthusiasm,
Just a reminder - we are aware of an issue that if you are using ROON and MQA with an external DAC, sending digital audio through the USB port of NODE (N130) may cause audio dropouts. USB DAC audio output for NODE (N130) with ROON is still classified as a beta release and is under development. Unfortunately, we do not have an exact timeline for future development and releases as we continue to work with ROON on the situation.
Please continue to enjoy our USB DAC implementation natively without ROON until then.1 -
Hi Tony, thanks for the reply.
Re: fixed audio when using USB out, I can say this is definitely not happening either in the Android or iOS app, tapping the loudspeaker icon in the playbar brings up the slider on screen and there's no option appearing under settings for 100% as default.
Does this adjustable volume functionality imply the Node is therefore applying some treatment of its own to the audio rather than it being sent pure to the dac?
Cheers.
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For those who want to use an external DAC with the NODE and Roon, you have to setup your NODE in Roon DAC Settings, MQA Capabilities: "Renderer Only", then in Advance settings for the NODE (inside Roon) you have to "Enable MQA Core Decoder". Then in BluOS app, Settings/Audio make sure your external DAC is selected. Doing these steeps I get ZERO dropouts when playing MQA titles from TIDAL with Roon.
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i connect USB to the DAC in my Simaudio 240i….at first, i received no sound, but once i disconnected cable and re-plugged, it sprang to life. I also connect thru ethernet and have had zero issues with dropouts. Thanks for the explanation that USB has to be disconnected to switch over to optical output. I thought i could flip quickly between the two using my amp’s remote, changing the source input, but not so. Doesn’t appear there is a volume difference between USB and Optical, but not sure yet on an audible difference. According to my amp’s manual, the highest quality streams are through USB, as high as 384, optical only 96. Curious, since i have had optical readings showing a song streaming at 192…maybe, my amp is telling me the song can be streamed as high as 192, but optical is limited to it’s highest bitrate of 96. Regardless, need more time to determine if i prefer USB or Optical.
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when i go into Settings>Audio, i do not see my Simaudio listed as a DAC (it’s an integrated amp). The only DAC reference is a button that says MQA external DAC. My Simaudio 240i will play DSD files, but don’t believe it supports MQA files. Should i be able to see my Simaudio listed here or will that only apply if i’m using a standalone DAC ?
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Because your Simaudio is an integrated amp, you have to select in your Simaudio Integrated amp the USB input in order for the DAC to be recognized externally.
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yes, i choose USB as my source and it works fine. I just thought it would show in your app under SETTINGS>AUDIO….it does not. Thx…
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Am I correct in think there is no ROON control of volume using the USB output? If that is so you guys screwed me over. WTF is THAT abouT?
Waited all this time for a feature which I can not use. I am so disappointed and pissed if this is true.
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I can control the volume on the BluOS app when using the USB output to my Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2. Is this a bug?
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@ Petri K - How are you able to do that? My NODE volume, and ROON volume is fixed at full output. This eliminates the use of the NODE as a preamp which makes it so I can't use it in my system which is a drag because it sounds good and was one of the reasons I bought this thing in the first place. I'm bummed...
Maybe they will fix it sometime in the future??
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Mark - I have no idea. I just have the "Volume limits" option visible when selecting the Matrix Audio X-SPDIF 2 and the volume control is available when playing music. Is this because it's a DDC and not a DAC?
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@ Perti K - Does the slider work? I see mine but it has no effect. They say its a fixed output so I guess thats that for me. It sounds great but the way my system is set up I can't use it easily. It seems to have a fairly high output too.
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I have the same, outputting to a DAC. Clicking on the speaker icon in the bottom right corner brings up a useable volume slider.
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The Volume slider in Roon does not work. As soon you set the DAC as output, volume goes to fixed automatically.
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Excuse me, John W, will this, " Also note that when USB DAC is enabled, audio output is FIXED (100%) on the NODE and cannot be adjusted." ever be changed in the future or is this going to be standard?
Thanks
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