2. digital
  3. 161940-152584

Bluesound Node 2i digital output problems...

I took delivery of a Bluesound Node 2i a few days ago and am so far happy with it apart from a few quirks with
the software and how it works with Tidal. Also a little disappointed that it doesn’t directly support Bandcamp.

The bigger potential issue is with the digital outputs. My amp has a built in DAC and I was just curious to see if there was an audible difference between using it and the one internal to the Bluesound but wasn’t expecting the difference I got:

—when connecting the Bluesound with either coax or optical to my Onkyo A-9010 integrated amp, sound only outputs through the left channel, not the right so I’m only getting sound out of one speaker. Both cables are brand new and no amount of wiggling or reinstallation makes a difference. Operation is flawless when using the RCA outputs from the Bluesound to the amp.

I’m not finding anyone discussing the problem of single channel output online anywhere so I’m wondering if I’m missing something really obvious about why this problem might be occurring.

Any ideas?


pip_helix

Showing 2 responses by pip_helix

pip_helix OP
30 posts
 
I have tried other cables that have worked in other applications. I could try plugging my TV into the amp via toslink and see what happens. That’s the only way for me to test the amp itself. 

@jond: I’ve noticed that about Bandcamp after poking around this morning. I guess that’s because anyone not using an Apple product can just download the FLAC files and play them?
pip_helix OP
30 posts
 
Sorry....forgot to post that I was finally able to identify the issue.

I bought a $15 DAC from Amazon and it works perfectly with the Node. It turns out the problem has to do with either the DAC in my amp or with the digital input stage of my amp. I’d never used digital inputs on the amp before so I had no frame of reference for them. The Node is fine!

Thankfully, I’ve got a new amp and preamp coming from Schiit in the coming weeks.
More to discover