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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@Chris Brook
Thanks for verifying the problem with yet another DAC. I hope that you'll submit a bug report in the app so that the engineers can take care of it, since the party line on this forum seems to be ALL IS WELL
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Well my issues with regards to connecting my Zen Dac V2 seems to have resolved its self - Currently I can get stable MQA from Tidal to my external Dac with excellent results - My ears convince me that the Zen Dac v2 is superior to the Node dac - so much so I’ve swapped the Zen Dac out for the signature zen Dac V2 for the hell of it…
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Hi BlueSound Team!
I have the same problem with my audiolab M-DAC. Playing audio from a local share or even internet radio results in dropouts in the audio signal every several seconds. When I look at the USB buffer on the display of the M-DAC it is between 0 and 25 or sometimes 30% (usual is around 75% with an iOS device for example). When I pause the source the USB buffer jumps between 0 and 20% every 1-2 seconds. This looks like a software problem on the BlueOS for the NODE. Attaching an iPhone to the M-DAC via USB cable with Lightning adapter for example works perfectly even with streamed lossless Apple Music. Also with an iOS device connected to the M-DAC I can use the remote control from the M-DAC not only for adjusting the volume (this works with the NODE as well) but also for pausing and resuming the audio and track forward or back (a functionality which you definitely should include if someone wants to use the remote control of a connected DAC. Audio clock trimming is deactivated by the way because if it is on even on Toslink and coaxial output there are frequent dropouts every 5 seconds or so.
So please look again into your code for the USB connectivity.
Cheers, Oliver
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@Oli T
I have the same dac and see the same behaviour, when the buffer jumps constantly it is unusable, my work around is to leave the USB buffer to fill up to about 50% and then select a service and play a 16/44 track, the USB buffer then fills up to 75% and then falls back to 25% it stays this way and is fine apart from the odd faint pop/click.
Switching to a 24/96 track the USB buffer sits at 50% +/- 10% but pop/click sound is more often. This tends to happen with devices that don't support asynchronous USB transfer.
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I have a similar DAC, Audiolab 82000DQ, audio plays but I get frequent pops and glitches as to make it unusable for me at the moment so gone back to the coax output.
My dac works perfectly when feeding from raspberry pi or PC etc. via usb.
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Hey all, heard back from tech support. Apparently since my DAC has an ESS Saber DAC, volume control from all digital inputs is through the DAC chip, which effectively tells the Node not to fix the volume. They didn't explain why they are able to have a "fixed volume" selection for Coax but not USB, but according to support my problem is "Solved." So there.
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I had the reply that because my DAC is upsampling, it's not a DAC. Even when the signal it gets is 192khz and it's not upsampling.
Mind you, with the absolute farce it takes to sign into this forum on IOS and the multiple cookies warnings that have to be dismissed before you can even log in, I've almost lost faith in the developers. And I say that as someone whose day job is with a globally successful app developer.
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I have now decided to return my Node N130 as the main features that I want to use via the USB output is Roon. I have now built a Raspberry Pi based roon-bridge which gives me perfect playback from Qobuz and Tidal directly through my USB DAC.
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Agree John, I'm looking at other options now. I want something that works reliably, that doesn't have weekly updates allegedly adding new features but breaking old ones, and that has tech support that doesn't tell me that everything is the fault of my equipment, which works fine with everything else.
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Hey all, heard back from tech support. Apparently since my DAC has an ESS Saber DAC, volume control from all digital inputs is through the DAC chip, which effectively tells the Node not to fix the volume. They didn't explain why they are able to have a "fixed volume" selection for Coax but not USB, but according to support my problem is "Solved." So there.
According to its logs, its operating system is Arch-Linux and it uses ALSA sound architecture just like Ropiee and others.
It has fixed volume on all of my Dacs so its not a dac chip issue, I have Sabre too and others.
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It's disappointing Greg, as at a basic level it's a super piece of kit. The 'customer support' suggestion that I should do a factory reset just to solve Quboz loading slow was the final straw really.
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On the bright-side.
The BlueSound Node has a lot of outputs now, all easily switched from the user interface. Plus, it has several useful inputs [TV, Optical and Analog].....and it still sounds pretty damn good. For me its a keeper!
3 Digital Outputs - USB, Coax, Toslink
2 Analog Outputs - RCA stereo + 1 sub
1 Headphone Output
1 Bluetooth Input/Output
1 Airplay 2 Input/lOutput
1 Analog Input
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Replying to Edward from 9:33am
Yes, it's great to have the multiple outputs but they need to work properly and it is probably normal that when something is first enabled, there are still glitches. I'm hoping the fixes happen soon, but I'm happy to connect to my Processor/receiver through the coaxial output for now. Now, if MQA content is going to snap-crackle-pop permanently, that will be very bad.
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I also hope Bluesound adds Roon Bridge software component to the device, so it can be configured and provisioned as such. I currently have the NODE connected to Chord Qutest DAC over USB, and it works, but Roon thinks the NODE is the endpoint rather than the Qutest, and thus presents the device setup parameters for the NODE instead of the Qutest DAC.
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Hi,
I have connected my NODE N130 on my Nuprime DAC-9 in USB.
it's Work BUT I can controle volume level. why the volume level is not fixed ?
my DAC have Asahi Kasei AK4490.
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@faizal
I have the same problem, and according to posts here and my response from support, apparently Bluesound considers our DACs to be DDCs instead for some reason, and this is the fault of our equipment.
No word on why they can't add a toggle for fixed volume like they do on SPDIF, but there you have it.
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I've tried the USB output with two amps and 3 different DACs and still get popping and other artifacts every time. Even without the volume issue, which I was willing to work around, the USB out is unusable. Perhaps it is an issue with the ROON integration.
However, the head in the sand approach by Bluesound customer service is eroding my previous enthusiasm for this company.
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@ Seppi Evans. I don't use MQA but thanks for the info! Will do!
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You can use external DAC with Roon but you have to use Coax output. I have zero dropouts using Coax from NODE into my Topping E50 DAC. You have setup the NODE as "Renderer Only" in Roon for it to work.
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I wish I saw this thread before purchasing the latest Node. No where else did I read USB-out disables subwoofer out. This is a huge disappointment for me and perhaps a deal breaker (I may send it back). This quote was the only reference I saw prior to purchase BTW:
"Note: When the USB port is enabled, other audio outputs (Analog/COAX/Optical) are disabled."
Why isn't Subwoofer out mentioned? Bluesound could have worded it by saying ALL other audio outputs are disabled.
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Indeed, Seppi Evans, using Roon and MQA (Tidal) with my Chord Qutest over USB results in frequent crackles and pops. Using MQA content via Bluesound app and Tidal - flawless.
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Just to clarify my previous post below, i do not use Roon so the problem is not just Roon related.
"I have a similar DAC, Audiolab 82000DQ, audio plays but I get frequent pops and glitches as to make it unusable for me at the moment so gone back to the coax output.
My dac works perfectly when feeding from raspberry pi or PC etc. via usb."
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Just tried USB out from new Node to Chord Qutest DAC using Roon with Qobuz and Tidal (non MQA tier). Also experienced pops and cracks in audio.
Switched back to coax and gone are the pops and cracks.Edit: used a new Supra USB 2.0 Cable, Type A-B, Hi-Speed, 0,7m
And Coax cable is AudioQuest Carbon.
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A few comments now that I’ve had some time with the new Node. Right now I’m using the Node with a Decware SE84UFO sans preamp so losing volume control and sub-out functions via USB-out was somewhat disappointing. That said, USB-out has worked flawlessly so far and the sound quality is outstanding. I resurrected my old analog crossover (Outlaw Audio ICBM-1) to address the sub-out thing. Works like a charm and sounds better to my ears than the on-board implementation. I could also resurrect my PS Audio linestage to address remote volume control but I prefer the sound direct into the SE84UFO. So, it’s sound quality vs. convenience and I’ll take sound quality every time, I just have to get off my a$$ to change the volume. BTW, when the hot summer months arrive I’ll change out the amp to a much cooler running Marantz integrated (class d) making all of this moot.
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Thanks Melvin.
Has anyone used the USB connection with an Arcam AVR?
Also how do we get the update? I got my Node 10 days ago but it was in the store a while.
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in the bluesound app on left side, click on HELP, then UPGRADE…
I have been very pleased with the USB update…no problems - no dropouts, clicks, interruptions whatsoever, but i do not use ROON, only connect to DAC in my amp.
I would be interested in any user feedback on differences in sound quality they have detected between the OPTICAL and USB inputs. Do you notice any increase or decrease in gain/loudness ?
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The ARCAM AVR10 advert states that it has a rear panel USB port "for audio playback from USB storage devices"
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The Optical tops out at 96khz.
The Coaxial reaches 192khz on Amazon Music Ultra HD tracks. I also prefer the stronger cable.
Analogue means using the Node's DAC but the Arcam DAC is higher rated.
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Agreed, Seppi. I did that. I judged the sound better from the Arcam's DAC. The reviews just confirmed it for me.
The Node is $599 USD. It makes sense that the DAC in the Node is cheaper than the Arcam' s.
There is a small nuance. If you stream Tidal MQA Masters at 192khz (small minority of tracks), the pass-through is limited to 96 kHz.
So if you prefer the BluOS app to the Arcam Life, and don't want to stream Tidal directly into the Arcam, then you might want to see if the Node's DAC at 192khz sounds better than the Arcam's at 96 kHz.
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Sorry to hear that people are still having issues. I ended up selling my Node and purchasing another streamer as a result of Bluesound's refusal to take these concerns seriously. I wish those of you still struggling with it the best.
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