USB output is here

Answered
John Atkin
  • Edited

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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Comments

114 comments

Date Votes
  • Mark

    I'm not struggling, I'm just waiting patiently for the ROON fix that I am sure will come sometime soon. Software implementation is complicated and things take time. I'm sure they're taking our whining, I mean, concerns seriously. I love my NODE!

    2
  • Yamil Llanos

    Hi. I'm interested in getting a NODE device to be used as a streamer with external DAC.  Can the NODE power a USB DAC? I'm thinking on getting a Motu M2 but I see no references to USB-powered DACs.

     

    Thanks

    0
  • Clay Holleman

    yes you can…i connect a USB cable from the USB output on the new NODE to the USB input on my Simaudio 240i integrated amp. It works great and i’m able to access even higher resolution files, bypassing the NODE’s internal DAC. I stream thru Amazon Music and currently have a free trial with Tidal. Both work fantastic and are glitch free. I use an ethernet connection, but experienced no issues with WIFI. Keep in mind, you will not have access to MQA files unless your DAC supports it. If you use the NODE’s DAC, then you can access MQA on Tidal, but the max sampling rate on the unit is 24/196. 

    1
  • Clay Holleman

    and maybe i’m confused by your question about the NODE’s ability to POWER a USB DAC. You still need a power source for your DAC. The NODE is not a power source. The POWERNODE has amplification and also acts as a streamer/dac. 

    0
  • Yamil Llanos
    • Edited

    and maybe i’m confused by your question about the NODE’s ability to POWER a USB DAC. You still need a power source for your DAC. The NODE is not a power source. The POWERNODE has amplification and also acts as a streamer/dac

    Not much of a difference, but Motu M2 is an audio interface with a good DAC.

    So not really. Some are USB-powered only:

    https://cdn-data.motu.com/django_prod/filer_public_thumbnails/filer_public/76/3b/763b0ffe-266d-493c-bfc0-96416f5a8254/m2_rear_2.png__1200x1200_q85_subsampling-2.png 

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  • Enricoclaudio

    It does work. I just tested my NODE USB out with an Apogee Duet which powers over USB and the NODE recognizes it and powers it up without any problems. 

    1
  • Yamil Llanos

    It does work. I just tested my NODE USB out with an Apogee Duet which powers over USB and the NODE recognizes it and powers it up without any problems. 

     

    Thanks as always Enrico

    0
  • Yamil Llanos

    BTW @Enricoclaudio how do you control the volume on NODE/Apogee combo? is it directly on the interface? Can a volume control be implemented via IR remote?

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  • Clay Holleman

    i see…when you say powered, you mean the unit has only a USB connection..

    you’ve read this from bluesound i presume ?

    NODE (N130) can transfer digital audio (USB Audio 2.0) to an external DAC via the USB Type-A slot.

    When connecting an external DAC to the USB port of NODE (N130), the USB port is automatically enabled.

    Note: When the USB port is enabled, other audio outputs (Analog/COAX/Optical) are disabled.

    To manually enable the USB port, perform the following steps:

    1. Connect a compatible external DAC to the USB port of NODE (N130).
    2. In the BluOS Controller App, select Player Drawer.
    3. Select the context menu (3 dots) of the required NODE (N130).
    4. Select Audio Settings.
    5. Select the external DAC from Select output.

    To disable the USB port (without unplugging the external DAC) and enable other audio outputs (Analog/COAX/Optical), set the Select output to Default in the Audio Settings screen of NODE (N130).

    My amp has a USB-B input so i had to purchase an A-B cable…i notice the unit you are looking at is USB-C.

    0
  • Enricoclaudio

    The Apogee DUET has a volume control. As soon you add a DAC to the NODE USB out, the volume control on Bluesound app defaults to Fixed. 

    1
  • Mark

    Any word on using USB output with ROON yet?

    1
  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi Mark

    This is a setting in ROON - please see an earlier post in this thread on how to resolve; https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/4417417052567/comments/4417435198999

    1
  • Mark
    • Edited

    Hi Tony,  I was talking about the sound artifacts, clicks and such, when using the USB output via ROON. I am not using an MQA DAC.

    Is it not considered "in Beta" anymore?  It still has a bad output.  Can you please tell me if this is still in the works or not?

     

    Thx, M

    0
  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    If you are hearing audible clicks or ticks between songs when formats change - please contact your DAC manufacturer about muting settings.

    0
  • Petri K

    I can still hear clicks/ticks during playback, about every 20-30 seconds or so. It's not related to when format changes. 

     

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  • Mark

    @Petri K,  Exactly! Mine too.  It seems related to the USB implementation and its relation to ROON.

    I guess it's easier to answer a question that has not been asked than one that was.

    They know it does this because they've said it was "in Beta." Which is where I think it will stay.

    Bluesound, If you can't/won't fix it, just say so.  Don't keep BS-ing us please.  

     

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  • Marc
    • Edited

    How Is this still not working over a year later? Michi X3 recognized USB 2.0 all I get I crackling popping and dropouts with the recommended steps followed from BlueOS and Roon. Looking forward to creating a video on my YT channel letting others know, I can't recommend this with Roon and usb. This seems very odd that Roon or BluOS can't resolve this.

    1
  • Mark

    I demoted mine to a kitchen system and replaced it with an Ultra Rendu which sounds amazing!

    No more Bluesound for me...

    0
  • Enricoclaudio

    Also sold mine and replaced it with a Matrix Audio element i2.

    0
  • Jason Braswell

    USB works fine without Roon, which I cancelled anyway.

    0
  • Felix

    I have sold my Node six months ago and replaced it with iFi Zen streamer. Works awesome with Roon, fully supports USB, cheaper, and sounds better than the Node (over Coax - can't compare the USB as Node USB doesn't work with Roon as we all know). I bought Node strictly for streaming; did not not care about its DAC as I use Chord Quest anyway. 

    0
  • Richard Gingell
    • Edited

    I do not use Roon and USB does not work for me so its not just Roon related.

    I get the clicks and dropouts etc to make it unusable.

    My dac is an old Audiolab 8200DQ which has a USB 2.0 port. It works perfectly with an Auralic Aries Mini via USB so its definitely the Blusound USB Implementaion thats causing it.

    From a different forum the issue seems to be the way USB is implemented they quote...."This issue can occur if the USB frames have been split the root cause is the USB host is breaking up the USB packets (frames)."

    0
  • Ian Ball

    Agree, I have same issues with my Topping DAC. Bought a Lumin streamer instead. Works perfectly.

    0
  • Yamil Llanos

    Yeah. I also got rid of my Bluesound Node and got a Wiim Pro + SMSL DAC. Works perfectly. I had too many issues with Node and it's just not worth to spend more to get the same, not anymore.

    0

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