Volume when using the USB outlet (hard drive) is much lower than when listening to Radio Paradise or discs.

Answered

Bill McCarthy

• January 06, 2022 23:59
• Edited

I have the Node connected to a Marantz SA-KI Ruby using it as a DAC. I have the Node connected to the optical connection and find the volume level much lower than when playing the same title on disc. I have the volume level of the Node on the fixed setting. I tried changing the volume level to variable and changing the volume level up and down. The volume level did not change so I'm assuming the volume control is disabled when using a digital output of the Node.

I'm playing an SACD now and the volume level of my preamp (Wyred 4 Sound STP-SE) is at 22 and the volume is fairly loud. To get the same volume level with the Node on the optical input it has to be in the 40s. To me something is not right. My concern is if I'm listening to the Node with the volume level in the 40s then switch to playing a disc without turning the volume down that I'll cause damage to my system, my hearing or both. 

When listening to Radio Paradise the volume level is much louder about the same when playing a disc.

Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated!

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• Official comment

  

  Tony W.

  Product Support Manager

  • January 07, 2022 13:39

  Hi Bill

  Your Bluesound NODE does not apply any gain unless the content has gain in the metadata. The files on your USB drive do not have gain tags. Many streaming sites (and traditional over-the-air radio stations) apply gain to boost volume.
• 

  Bill McCarthy

  • January 07, 2022 17:37
  • Edited

  Hi Tony, thank you for your response. So far Bluesound support has been quick to respond and very helpful!

  The issue is once the DSD files were converted to FLAC by BluOS that's when I noticed how much lower the volume level is. The DSD files are rips of my SACD library. Those DSD files are backed up on another hard drive which play fine and at a much higher (10dB+) volume level when connected to any of my Oppo players.

  I connected the hard drive with the FLAC converted DSD files to my Oppo and the volume is also lower when played. My only thought is that for some reason the gain (proper term?) when the DSD files were converted was done at a lower level. Other than that I can not figure out why it is happening.

  All other files on that hard drive such as CD and hi-res files play at a higher volume level. The only volume issue is with the DSD files that were converted to FLAC.

  It's unfortunate as I really like the Node. But unless this issue can be resolved I'll need to return it. 

  Thanks again for your time! Take care, Bill

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• 

  Tony W.

  Product Support Manager

  • January 07, 2022 17:54

  There is no gain in your DSD files before they were converted - your SACD player is adding gain during playback

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• 

  Bill McCarthy

  • January 07, 2022 19:30

  That I'm not sure about. I'm using my Marantz SA-KI Ruby to play back the FLAC files. The DSD to FLAC files converted by BluOS are the only media whether file based or disc based that has a lower volume. I do not believe my SACD player is adding gain during playback. If that was true then it would be adding gain to all my media except the converted DSD to FLAC files.

  As mentioned earlier all CD and hi-res files on the hard drive play at the same volume as CD or SACD discs played by the SA-KI Ruby. Paradise Radio also plays at the same volume as CDs and SACDs.  

  Thank you again for your time!

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