Crackling on N130 Node using Roon with USB out
Answered
I am having this exact issue using Denafrips Ares II to the point it is unlistenable. Just purchased a couple days ago. No issues with native app or using coax SPDIF out. There are a ton of posts about this. Apparently, the released the new NODE last year, and only enabled USB output in December, so effectively, it's a beta. I hope the Roon integration gets sorted, as I am very disappointed that my first "Roon Ready" device actually isn't.
Also, HDMI eARC volume control doesn't work with USB out, but does with coax out.
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Official comment
Hi Zhang
Please see this Help Centre article to make the necessary change in ROON's settings to ensure your NODE is configure properly in ROON: https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/articles/4417440985879
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I don't use Tidal or MQA. Is this still required?
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I tried this and it didn't work. I am reaching out to Roon also, but am not hopeful based on the other feedback. I will use coax for now.
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Hi
just connect my new N130 to my Deanfrips Pontus ii over USB. Have exactly the same issue here. Crackling and even in my opinion worse sound quality than a direct connection to my Ipad Pro. Super disappointed. Any news here regarding an update?
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I have the same issue with a Topping E50 DAC fed by the Node N130 via USB. No combination of settings in either Roon or BluOS remedy the issue. I have had to resort to a optical connection between the two devices which, due to the configuration of the DACs coax and optical output, means I have limited functionality especially when it comes to MQA.
All my research on the issue shows is that Bluesound blame Roon and Roon blame Bluesound so it's unlikely to be resolved. Considering the supposed compatibility of the two products and the combined cost of them it's very disappointing support from both. At this point it's better to save the money for a proper streaming/Roon end point amp and sell off the N1301 -
Please see the Support Post in the Official Comment; https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/articles/4417440985879
USB DAC - ROON
If you are using ROON and MQA with an external DAC, sending digital audio through the USB port of NODE (N130) may cause audio dropouts. In ROON please adjust your NODE settings using the following configurations:
- Go to ROON's Device Setup screen for NODE.
- From the MQA capabilities drop-down, select Renderer only.
- Expand Show advanced and set the Enable MQA core decoder to Yes.
If you still encounter audio dropouts, use USB DAC implementation natively without ROON and reach out to ROON directly for further assistance.
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This thread is marked as “answered” but I disagree. The advise to simply don’t use Roon if you (still) encounter audio drop outs is a bit much for a product which is actively marketed as “Roon ready”. Instead, fix the problem by updating your software or Roon should remove this statement.
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I've followed the instructions given by support here but I still get static/popping/crackling when using my Node (N130) connected to my external DAC via USB, only when using Roon. Note also that I am using Roon to stream Qobuz, so there is no MQA at play here. Roon's support simply says that Bluesound have acknowledged the issue and are working on it, but Bluesound support just says talk to Roon?
If there is no timeline from Bluesound on when this issue will be fixed, then I want to return my Node. USB out with Roon is an essential use case for those who want to use the Node with a high quality external DAC, and if it doesn't work then I think that's a serious problem with this product.
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The same here. Bluesound node + USB + Topping D70S Dac. Second system is Bluesound node + USB + Gustard x22. Crackling.
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Yes exactly same problem running the node into my Denafrips Venus II. This is now a year old issue so it doesn't look as though Bluesound are in any hurry to fix it. I love the bluos software but this really isn't a roon ready device. I purchased the Node believing the marketing hype that usb output was available. I had to wait months for this to happen and then it didn't work. I feel very disgruntled and let down by Bluesound.
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Yep. We were falsely advertised to that we would be able to use Roon and USB out. Worse yet, BlueSound customer service was not willing to make any concession whatsoever to their 30 day return policy. I asked for a return ~45 days after I received mine because when I discovered the issue, I had faith that BlueSound support would be able to fix it. After none of their troubleshooting worked, I asked for a refund which was flatly refused. Through some confusion on their part, they ended up giving me a warranty replacement for my unit, despite the fact that there was absolutely nothing a replacement unit would do to solve the problem. I had a completely factory sealed unit ready to return to them and they still refused to refund me. In light of what the issue is, and the fact that I specifically bought a Node because I needed a unit that could to Roon over USB out, *which they advertise in their specs, to this day*, I think it's pretty terrible that bluesound was completely unwilling to work with me on any reasonable solution other than continually offering "warranty replacement" which does absolutely nothing for this problem and displays no understanding of or regard for what the problem is. I will not be buying any Lenbrook products (Bluesound/NAD/PSB) ever again going forward, and will be recommending anyone else I know stay away from them as well. It's really disappointing that they refuse to stand by the claims they make about what features their products offer. Buyers beware :)
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Pretty poor behaviour from Bluesound. I realise that we audiophiles/Roon fans are a limited use case for Bluesound, and their products are aimed at people who want an easy to use, relatively inexpensive product, and are not too bothered about achieving the very best sound quality. But the fact remains that Bluesound market the Node with claims that it clearly does not achieve, so you're right that buyers should beware.
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So no update/patch with a fix for USB out audio for the Node? I’m running a new Node to a Cyrus I9-XR via USB, and there will be static/hissing and then total loss of handshake between the 2 devices, the fix is to unplug and plug the power back into the node to have the connection work again. If this persists I’ll have to use Coaxial out on the Node, which isn’t my preference. I assume the USB out bypasses the clock in the Node (asynchronous, right?), if this can’t be done I’ll sell it once the Cyrus Stream XR is released.
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I have just installed a new linear power supply for my Node(N130) and there is no crackling anymore.
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Hi Zoltan. Please tell us more. Which lpsu did you go for? To be clear this is when using roon?
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OK, following on from Zoltan's post.
Last week I installed the LHY Bluesound PSU Kit from Beatechnik. It made a difference. However until reading Zoltan's post I hadn't thought to try the USB between the Node and my Denafrips DAC because it was previously unlistenable with Roon, but today I swapped out the Coax for the USB and have been listening via Roon for about 3 hours. No glitches, crackles, nothing just great sound. I will give it another crack tomorrow but unless Bluesound have fixed it via an update and not told us, fingers crossed this could be the solution.
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After 2 days of listening to music, the conclusion is as follows: the noise has almost completely disappeared using roon and USB, but it is still minimally audible at higher volumes. PSU: TMP Audio, and low noise interface for Node.
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First of all, great to hear a possible solution to this issue that many of us are experiencing and interesting this comes from the user community and not from the bluesound product support….. Anyway, the question is; should I invest in a $290 linear power supply unit to solve an issue which should work out of the box? I’m tempted to give it a go. Any comments on the (improved) sound quality?
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Hi Mr. Siermann
No, you should not be opening your Blueosund Player and adjusting your PSU. Bluesound Players are finished goods products and not home kits. The issue and problem are not related to your power supply but to the way USB DACs work.
If adjusting your ROON audio output settings mentioned in an earlier post of mine on this thread does not work, you have two options;- Contact your USB DAC manufacturer and ask them why their firmware does not properly report back industry standards regarding DAC volume control and confirmation. This is doubly so if the DAC is MQA certified as required for certification
- Use COAX if your USB DAC does not have a firmware update to resolve the issue at their end
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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Well disappointingly after putting in a further 20 hours of listening I am back to coax. Although now the crackling has gone with USB I'm getting other weird effects, so the LPSU is not a fix for this issue. Well worth it for the improvement in SQ anyway though if you are willing to spend the money.
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I was told this was resolved so I purchased a Node. 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. This seems very odd that Roon or BluOS can't resolve this.
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Who told you it was resolved? Plenty of info out there saying not. I think if it was a firmware fix BS would have made it by now. As it's a minority use case for a budget component their unlikely to allocate much effort to this as it works OK via coax.
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Yes well the reply from Tony W would suggest that BS won't fix it because they don't think it's their problem despite evidence to the contrary on this forum and many others. The fact that roon via usb doesn't work with a variety of dacs from different manufacturers and that those dacs wok perfectly well with other roon front ends. Mine works via my laptop usb and also raspberry pi based streamer and usb. So until BS take their heads out of the sand nothing will change.
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It is indeed strange that BlueSound doesn't acknowledge that this a known feature/bug as it's not very difficult to replicate and the amount of posts on this issue indeed show this is not linked to any particular external DAC.
I guess step one is for BS to confirm the issue is linked to the streamer and how that deals with the ROON connection. That would be a win! Once we reach that state, BS might pass that on to the product development team to come up with a fix and timeline. I remain hopeful.
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Hello community, I have the same problems with my new DAC (EverSolo z8 from Zidoo_) connected to Node when I use Roon.
I managed to reduce the cracks( they almost disappeared) after connecting the BS Node to the USB-C(not B input) but the cracks are still present.
I hope someone fixes the problem.
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Since last BS update there is no crackling anymore. Good job guys!
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Hi zoltan, I checked but the problem is still there. Unfortunately…
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Hi all, the most recent firmware update fixed the usb external dac issue! Hooray!!
Many thanks for this fix!
Now this threat can be realy closed ;-)
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Nope. The latest firmware update does not fix the USB external DAC issue at all.
Back to COAX I go....
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yes I confirm, the latest update doesn't fix the USB external dac (via Roon) problem. cracking is prezent...
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