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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
13 responses Add your response
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.
rajivhifi's avatar
rajivhifi
57 posts
 
If sound is being delivered from the Node its likely not the source of the issue. Probably an issue with the Onkyo's digital inputs or DAC. 
guy-incognito's avatar
guy-incognito
169 posts
 
Did you get your problem resolved? Curious if you determined if it was a hardware problem with the Node or something else.
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,598 posts
 
Try a different DAC to determine where the problem lies.
One of these will do for testing.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-DAC-Audio-Converter-for-USB-optical-Audio-Adapter/393002571808?hash=item5b80c75820:g:z4sAAOSwRIJfoyXL
You might even find that it sounds better.
crustycoot
643 posts
 
To my knowledge, Sonos supports Bandcamp.
richtruss
163 posts
 
Sounds like a fault with the DAC in the amp. I had that with a Quad Artera, I did a factory reset and it cleared the fault.

mwinkc
368 posts
 
Do you have another digital source that you can plug into the same ports to see if both channels are present? If so...sounds like a Node 2i issue.
I used the internal DAC for a few months, but ended up using a slightly better DAC connected via optical cable... no issues or settings changes were required for the change.
guy-incognito's avatar
guy-incognito
169 posts
 
Have you looked through the settings yet? You can change the output mode between stereo, mono, left and right. 

Settings, Player, Audio, Output Mode.

Also, if the internal DAC in your Marantz is not MQA capable you can turn off the "MQA external DAC" toggle so the bluesound will still do the first unfold. 

Hope this helps.
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
i agree w hilde

seems like u have a hardware problem with the node 2i, is it a brand new unit?

trust u have done the standard troubleshooting using various amp inputs, swapping cabling one channel to other, trying different digital cables into the node 

no reason whatsoever for the node to have one channel w output the other channel silent

bluesound support is quite responsive... am sure they will address

good luck
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?
jond's avatar
jond
5,798 posts
 
No comment on the output issue but I will say I am not aware of any streamers that have integrated Bandcamp.
jmphotography's avatar
jmphotography
161 posts
 
If you tried both optical and coax I would say its a hardware problem. I would have it replaced right away if you bought it brand new.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,974 posts
 
Hi there,
I assume you have tried cables you know to be working to swap in for the ones with problems? And that you have eliminated the amp as a source of the problem?
I had a problem with the coax output on my Node and it was within warranty and after a phone call with tech at Crutchfield they swapped it out.
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