Node N130 no audio via USB to Holo Audio May DAC

Answered
Invenio

Hardware:  I have a Node N130, firmware 3.16.3.  DAC is a Holo Audio May KTE edition.

Issue:  No audio via USB output.  The DAC recognizes the signal as it displays the proper sampling rate (including changing with audio track changes), but there is no audio.  It's almost like the audio signal is being sent to the DAC but with zero volume.

Additional Info:  Audio works via optical out.  The BlueOS app (android) recognizes the Holo Audio DAC as it displays it in the audio settings.  I tried selecting "Default" vs the Holo Audio DAC description but no change.  It also appears that via USB you can't select Fixed Volume.  I did try to increase/decrease the volume manually in the app but again, nothing changes.  When I change the source on the DAC to optical, everything works like it did before.  When switching back to USB input, same lack of audio.  I tried unplugging the optical connection to see if having two simultaneous connections may be causing the problem but no change.

Any solution or advice?  Thank you.

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Comments

18 comments

Date Votes
  • Invenio

    I tried following the instructions but no audio on the USB input.

    I will say that when you say "disable usb", the only thing I can really do is to set the source on my DAC to optical (from USB or vice versa) as there is no way in the BlueOS app to enable/disable specific outputs.  If the Node truly outputs to a single output at a time, I presume it is auto-switching based on the DAC input setting configuration, ie, the output of the Node is actually controlled by changing the input setting on the DAC..

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  • Invenio

    Ok.  I did try to switch it to default and back yesterday but I didn't do the volume setting changes as you recommended above.  I will try "disabling" the USB output on the node by selecting "default" as the instructions imply and then do the volume changes per your instructions.

    I'll report back with the results.

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  • Invenio

    I tried the method outlined in the link to switch it to default and set the volume and then back to the DAC but unfortunately it did not resolve the issue.

    Any other thoughts?

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  • Invenio

    I tried sending the support request via the app.  Is there a confirmation email?  I got some quick message about selecting a valid country and email or something to that effect.  I had all the fields filled out correctly so I can't tell if it went through or not?  I don't want to keep resending the same help request if it did go through.

    I also linked this topic in the request for reference.

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  • edward

    Hi Invenio

    Looks like your version of the Halo Dac has a special USB device with custom firmware.

     

    The May DAC has the new and exclusive USB Enhanced module (L2 and KTE ONLY) which has our FPGA with the new Titanis 2.0 and custom firmware to improve USB Eye Pattern and reduce latency to near zero as well as reduce jitter to very very low levels.

    The USB interface uses proprietary firmware with ultra-low latency,

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  • Invenio

    Ok,... but it works with any computer or other USB device.  So why doesn't it work with the Node and how do I fix it?

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  • Chris Brook

    Glad I read this. I was looking at a second hand Holo Spring 2. I'll keep an eye on this.

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  • Invenio

    Any response from the developers as this is still unresolved?

    I'm not sure what "special USB device" means.  There are hundreds if not thousands of firmware written for USB interfaces so that is not unique.  If the device follow USB spec, then they should all be compatible.  Currently the only device in my system with USB output that doesn't seem to work with the DAC is the node so it really comes back to here.

    I haven't heard anything from trying to submit the support request from the app, but as stated above I got a weird message about email/country so I'm not sure that ever went through.  Is there a way to check?

    Thank you.

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  • edward

    Hi Invenio

    FWIW, I'm not a dev.

    And you are right, it does work with other Linux devices as well as other OS's.

     

    Good Luck

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  • Invenio

    Edward,

    I've tested it with a few windows systems but it's supposed to be compatible with other devices that have usb output.  It's a little frustrating as I (and most people on here) have been waiting for usb support for a long time.  Regardless, thanks for the input.  Hopefully this can be resolved as otherwise I really like the node.

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  • edward

    Hi Invenio

    I understand completely, I have other USB frustrations myself.

    I was reading that someone on the Roon forum was having problems with the Halo May dac and resolved it with a firmware upgrade. Unfortunately we can't ssh into the Node but maybe BS will find this small bit of troubleshooting helpful...if they will accept outside help at all.

    https://community.roonlabs.com/t/native-dsd-with-holo-audio-may/112140

     

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  • Invenio

    Bump.

    I sent the in app support request a week ago but I'm not sure it went through as I did not get any confirmation.  Still at a loss as to why this doesn't work?

    This thread was marked as "answered".  Not sure why, nothing was resolved and I'm still having the same issue.

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  • bbohne

    I‘m using a HOLO Audio Spring 2 and I have the same problem. I can‘t activate the N130 USB with the Spring 2 DAC. Via Coax it‘s working flawless.

    I have two setups. In my second I‘m using a McIntosh D100 with a N130 node. And this works very well in the USB configuration.

    Anyway, the N130 realizes that it‘s connected via USB to the HOLO Audio Spring 2 because the info is shown in the menu. But it seems it can‘t establish a connection. The negotiation process of the two devices ends in a restart of the N130.

    Might be great to get some support and I‘m afraid it‘s the same problem Invenio reported.

     

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  • Invenio

    Appears there is some major usb connection issues with the N130 and Holo Audio gear.  I will say that my N130 does not "reset".  It's just the complete lack of volume.

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  • Invenio

    So I got a response from Holo Audio:

     

    Have you tried other inputs on the dac other than USB to see if it works?

    since your dac was produced in July, it has the Gen2.0 module which should work with that streamer but we have never had any comments about it not working. So this is strange and wonder what bluesound has to say.

    I ask if you have tried other inputs to be sure that the dac is working properly. such as SPDIF COAX etc... its the most compatible type connection.

    but if Bluesound doesnt have support for XMOS usb that is shocking. our dac is very compatible with most all servers. 

    sometimes a powercycle of the products can be a remedy. 
    turn both streamer and dac off.... turn on streamer..... wait 2min or so... and turn on dac. 

    sometimes this fixes handshake issues.. 

    is there any configuration options with bluesound?  if so...what?

    If you have any more questions please let me know, I'm happy to help.

    Best,

    - Tim Connor
    KitsuneHiFi and HoloAudioUSA

    I've tried the turning on/off already and the other inputs work except for the USB.  So I still don't have a solution.

    For the mods of this forum, why is this topic labeled as "Answered"?  Nothing has been answered and it still doesn't work and there are now reports from other Holo Audio DAC users that the USB does not work for them either.

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  • Invenio

    SOLVED!  So it looks like the DAC needed a firmware update as that fixed the problem and I am able to use the DAC via usb connection.

     

    You received your dac at a transition from the gen2.0 to gen2.1 module for usb. If you have an early gen2.1 module which I think you may…. Than it needs a firmware update.
    The 5.27 driver for windows comes with 31.44 firmware with fixed volume which addresses common Linux bugs. Like low volume or no volume. Depends on the source/Linux etc. I ask if you have win10 machine since it’s required for the firmware update.

    https://www.kitsunehifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/HoloAudio-v5.27.0_2022-1-14.zip

    And download this file and read the instructions.

    There is pdf with instructions. But you will need the fixed volume version of 31.44 firmware for your source.

    There is a variable volume version for windows users. But oddly variable volume doesn’t work on some forms of Linux. Maybe this is why you are experiencing this issue.

    If you have any more questions please let me know, I'm happy to help.

    Best,

    - Tim Connor
    KitsuneHiFi and HoloAudioUSA

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  • Adriano De Canio

    @bbohne

    did you manage to resolve your issue at all with the Spring 2

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  • bbohne

    No, unfortunately not. Bluesound is pointing to Holo Audio. Holo Audio claims its XMOS compatibility. Anyway before buying a new unit I will check the compatibility in the future of the streamer with the DAC.

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