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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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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I wonder if the best solution is just to drop back to coax digital into DAC and continue using Roon, or disconnect from Roon altogether and use Bluesound app only. What's everyone else planning to do?
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To my ears, USB and Coax sound the same so I’m sticking with Coax. Also, my E50 does not go to standby when using USB input as the NODE USB output is always active/ON.
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My volume is fixed on BluOS and/or ROON. I may have to go back to coax because of the volume control.
I'd like to know what the output voltage is. It seems very high on my gear compared to the other outputs.
I'm running an Audio GD R1 DAC.
The USB sounds good though but it may because the output is higher. No way am I dropping ROON. It is the gold standard as far as service, UI and performance that many other audio companies should emulate.
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I can sympathize for those folks having problems with the USB output but in my case I'm having no issues. I had to unplug / replug the USB cable once and no issues since. No cracks, pops or cutouts FWIW, but then I don't use ROON. I haven't tried to do an A/B test with the Coax; it sounded great with Coax & still sounds great thru USB. Hope you all get your problems corrected soon.
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@tony What's the official response on the lack of option to force maximum volume in the app? I'd still be interested to know whether this means the Node is applying some processing, thanks.
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I am another with zero connection issues. I still am trying to determine differences in sound quality between USB and Optical. It’s really close, but seems like i get a little more sparkle from Optical. Its possible the Optical’s volume output is a little greater than USB giving the impression of more sparkle. Would be nice if i could quickly shift from one to the other without disconnecting the USB cable.
There may be some other small differences in bass texture and soundstage…something sounds different but i can’t really pin it down. Feel free to call me out if you think i’m delusional.
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The USB fixed volume, as far as I'm aware, is "normal" I can only control the volume on Pro-Ject S2 streamer via the AMP.
I have a new Node 2i sat on my desk ready to try this evening (UK time) to contrast and compare - with / without Roon and a Audioquest USB jitter bug at the ready. I should really be doing something else on New Years Eve but that's the joy of single parenting!
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Scum Spawn… if you genuinely have a Node 2i USB is not available on this older model.
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So I've plugged my new Node - apologies for not getting the model numbers right - directly replacing the Pro-Ject S2 streamer.
Worked perfectly out of the box using Tidal and Tidal connection connecting to a Matrix Audio X-Sabre pro MQA (then to Musical Fidelity M5sI, PMC speakers). No crackling on a quick 30 minute listen.
The only thing I'm not clear on is which device is actually doing the MQA unfolding as there appears to be no options to set it either way.
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Anyone using a ifi Zen Dac v2 with the Node — I’m still having problems with clicks - I’m not using roon - customer support is vague to say the least
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Well that's what we get for pressuring the devs so much! ;)
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I want to add on my post above and just discovered that on the phone app playing Adele it’s skipping between HR and MQA but when I just use the Node it’s MQA clean
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Same as others, when USB is selected, volume level is not fixed and is adjustable via the slider in the app as well as by my iphone volume buttons.
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My KEF LS50 Wireless Mark I are working properly with my Node. I am using a Supra USB 2.0 Type A to Type B cable to connect them. My Node can detect my KEF automatically.
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Same as others, when USB is selected, volume level is not fixed and is adjustable via the slider in the app as well as by my iphone volume buttons.
Your USB device is not a DAC it is a DDC and really not recommended... Though the Bluesound N130 does support USB Output for your USB DAC, there is no specific support for a digital to digital convertor. In fact, we do not recommend using a DDC as it will only add to or contribute to the possibility of distortion or jitter in the audio chain.
Just a reminder that your Bluesound N130 uses a Texas Instruments PCM 5242 Burr-Brown DAC, which has been implemented with a differential output design in an endeavour to cancel out as much unwanted noise as possible.
In comparison, the NODE (N130) measures in at -113dB SNR and 0.002% distortion due to this change -- a notable improvement over the NODE 2i's -110dB SNR and 0.005% distortion.
The DAC is not programmable nor does it come with filters to alter the sound. Instead, Bluesound Players are engineered to create a neutral tone intended to be the most accurate reproduction of the recording as intended rather than be set to an individual room or taste. We know that's not for everyone's taste so using the digital COAX, TOSLink or now USB out of the NODE, you can bypass the onboard DAC if you wish to 'improve' on the recording using an external DAC.-1 -
Tony, I don’t have a DDC and I don’t know why you’re giving me a lecture on the internal DAC.
I thought I was very clear that I had plugged the USB output into my DAC and that I was still getting non-fixed volume, as many others in this thread have said.
This is reminiscent of the SPDIF debacle. You seem very quick to blame users when they report bugs in new software, then end up backtracking when your engineers fix the problem they told you about all along.
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If you are able to control volume, the device connected is allowing you to control volume.
Based on our tests, DACs are not allowing this but DDCs are. Please contact your third-party external device manufacturer for details.
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Alright, I’ll just wait a few days until the problem is acknowledged and a fix is announced.
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I can control volume in app and with the volume control of my device on Android and iPad. I'm pretty sure Musical Fidelity would say their MX-DAC is a, er, DAC. After all, it's outputting an analogue signal. But I've asked the question three times now without reply so I don't expect I'll get one this time either.
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John, if it's any comfort, I'm hearing you and have the same problem
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Being Arch-Linux the NODE uses ALSA sound architecture. Easy test would be to attach your device to 'any-other' Linux product via USB and see if the volume controls work or not.
Ropieee [the ARM based OS for Roon] would be a good example/benchmark for what can and can not be done with Arch-Linux...as it is Arch-Linux as well.
I have several DDC devices and DACs....the volume control is not functional on any device I connected to the NODE via USB. However "ALL" of them are able to have the volume adjusted on any-other Linux device....including Arch-Linux.
Easy to get defensive with so much negative noise in the air concerning issues. Best to step back, avoid the noise and look at the facts. This is not a per-user issue, its a global issue that can be easily fixed.
I'm hoping that once all the noise has settled this easy fix can be done and over with....
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If this is just a software update, how does a USB port out magically appear?
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Its not magic.
The USB port was always able to output audio....ALSA the sound engine/architecture was not configured to use USB as an audio output device.
Actually out-the-box, if you have Arch-Linux 'or any Linux' as a base OS and install the ALSA sound module it sees and uses/lists all of the audio devices. ALSA comes with many utilities such as EQ for example, but once its installed it works out-the-box.
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Is the USB output on the node asynchronous?
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I am having no issues with my DAC (Topping D70s) but hearing from friends with certain DACs (Benchmark, Cambridge) are getting the BluOS message "Audio Output Error" trying to play thru USB. Settings in BluOS appear correct. Any ideas?
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In the past, Bluesound announced that the Node 2i would have not received the update for USB audio output.
Is this still the case?
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@Valerio they want you to buy the new Node
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@John Atkin then they would loose a customer...
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