Does the USB output update work for Node 2i, or only the new one?

Answered
Greg Rizzi

Hi,

I've just purchased a USB DAC and would like to know if my Node 2i can be updated with the USB output functionality. Any insight you can share will be much appreciated. If the 2i cannot add this USB output functionality I will have to buy the new Node.

Does the update create a "true," optimal USB output of data or is it a designed workaround that includes some compromises? I only use Qobuz as a source; I like the USB update's description that it "shuts down" other Node functions. Hoping that means a cleaner signal transfer to my DAC.

My DAC is a Wavelength Cosecant. It is non-oversampling and sounds outstanding. Here is a description:

"The Cosecant DAC has a single digital USB input (no SPDIF inputs). USB unlike SPDIF is bidirectional and therefore has error correction and buffering on both sides. This happens automatically so the data is identical to what is going out all the time. Also since this interface is asynchronous the clocking problems associated with SPDIF go away. What happens is... On power up of the computer the 2 devices negotiate services. In this case the Cosecant tells the computer it can do 16 bit audio at 32K, 44.1K and 48K. Since the USB receiver only has to handle these 3 frequencies, The clocking to the separate DAC IC has almost no jitter. So using USB we have a zero error protocol to link the computer to the DAC and very low jitter what else..... All Wavelength DACS are platform independent also OS independent."

Hoping to create a perfect marriage between these two components. Thanks!

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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • Official comment
    Mark T.
    Sr. Support Crew Member

    Hi Greg,

    The NODE 2i does not support USB as an output source. USB Out is only supported in the newer NODE N130. 

    I will pass your request to our engineering/development team for a possible future update.

    Thanks for #LivingHiFI

  • Stuart hamer

    Did you get the new node and get it to work with the Cosecant? I also have a Wavelengrh DAC and thinking about the Node. The Wavelength DACs can have some issues with source volume.

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  • Greg Rizzi

    No, I wound up trying the Cosecant with an Innuos Zen Mini instead. I don't think the output level was the cause but I didn't think the sound quality was very good. The Cosecant is a nice DAC, I was impressed how it sounds with local song files but have just found that streaming, regardless of the gear, is very hit or miss (mostly a miss). Sticking to vinyl!

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  • Stuart hamer

    I had a Brick for several years and loved it. Then moved aboard a boat and thought a solid state Proton would survive better. Using the Proton now in a second system at my house with my iPhone as the streaming source. Sounds good but looking for a streamer to plug into the Proton in place of my phone. I find that Amazon Music Ultra HD sounds great

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