Bluesound Node 2i with EMM LABS

If the EMM Labs DAC wasn't programed accept MQA, and since you state its an older piece my guess is probably not, then I think you are stuck as far as MQA is concerned.
   

Thanks for the input!!  I definitely KNOW MQA is not viable on the emm labs. So that is out of the question as you mention. What I am wondering is if there is some alternative to THEIR alternative. Which is to say I disable the MQA in the node and attempt to use their hi res stream. But even that is not compatible with the emm labs. 
All this hassle is enough to make someone go vinyl!

Ideally blue sound will provide a software update for all streams to be lowest common denominator redbook quality for those of us with great sounding but generation gapped DACs. 

this is why on blu os for certain music selections they give you cd quality as well as mqa encoded - you pick the cd quality ones, then stream will run at 44.1

This is interesting.  I will have to verify if all hi res tracks in bluOS have an alternative 16 bit version. My preliminary findings are that there are some that are over sampled only. For example I could only find the remastered version of Peter Gabriel’s album SO. Which does not allow streaming at 44.1/16. 

I have a support request open with bluesound looking for a solution and I will post my findings. 

Qobuz

Does qobuz allow you to choose quality for all tracks?  I can’t find any info about this specific aspect. Changing streaming service would be an ideal solution if there are the same number of artists but more flexibility in terms of bitrate. Thanks for this suggestion I will look into it. 

Jeez. Signed up for qobuz and all of the tracks are incomplete. Every track I try to play starts in the middle of the song.  Entered CC details to sign up for standard service 44.1/16. The standalone qobuz app only plays samples and the bluOS starts songs in the middle. 

I'm using the Node 2 with digital out to a Jolida FX2 DAC (non MQA).  I don't think there is much difference when comparing Qobuz hi-res, Tidal MQA and CD/FLAC from both services.

I don't mind paying for both services while I see which is most compatible with my DAC.  I happened to notice that when you use the Node 2i/TIDAL with MQA disabled there are plenty of MQA tracks that stream at 44.1/16.  But there are also plenty that seem to be out (a good bit of Peter Gabriel, for example).  

Qobuz has not resolved my problem with samples/partial songs.  They just told me to make sure I am using the correct username (can't blame them, start with the simplest solution, but now I'm waiting another 24 hrs for their reply to my follow up).  Crazy how much of a pain a minor piece of gear can be. 

In any case, this will be resolved or not.  I have questions out to Blue and Qobuz.  I will post the findings when I get the answers in case someone else has the same problem.  Interested to hear from Bluesound if they have any way to make everything 44.1/16.  

The qobuz problem is unique to me, I think.  I have NO IDEA how it can be doing some kind of sample/partial track choke on it.  AND I am logged it, but it keeps asking me if I want to sign up.  It must be some problem with my account.  

OP

streaming can drive you crazy with the IT issues.  Nothing beats popping in a CD and hitting play for convenience.  Once you get past the IT hurdles then it will be easier than vinyl...
  I have Qobuz and Bluesound.  I remember having the problem that you describe.
I solved it when I set up a Qobuz app on my phone.  At first I streamed from the phone only.  For some reason having only Bluesound as a Qobuz source would only allow samples of tracks.  

Thanks again for your comments, Mahler.  And thank you for your PM, Alchemyman.  It sounds like we have all had some issue signing up for Qobuz.  Mahler had some problems that were solved by signing up on the app.  Oddly, I had the opposite problem.  My problem happened when I signed up on my phone and was resolved when I put in CC details on the website (non-chrome, per Alchemyman's advice).  Should be good now.  Qobuz was good about responding within 24 hrs and sent gif link showing what I needed to do to get my service up and running.  Qobuz is now fully up and running on all systems including the Node. 

I do believe this resolves the Node problem in general because Qobuz uses 44.1/16 and even "high resolution" remasters play fine with my DAC.  Obviously it will take a little while to listen to lots of stuff and see if Qobuz is limited in content or format.  But I am keeping the Node for now, I like the form factor and consistency of the app.  

I really appreciate everyone's help with my problem.  I thought I knew how to use a streamer but keeping up with technology is clearly an ongoing and never-ending learning process. It isn't the fun part, but the convenience when it pays off is certainly worth the effort.  

What a great community this is.  Go years without contributing anything, post a random question, and get it resolved within 72 hrs.  

You can't beat that!!!