2. digital
  3. 161564-9621

Bluesound Node 2i with EMM LABS

Are any of you using a Bluesound Node 2i with an EMM LABS DAC?  I am using an old EMM LABS DCC2 SE as my DAC and I purchased a Node 2i for streaming.  Before the Node I was using an OPPO BDP as my streamer but the interface and the app were bad and I decided to use a dedicated streamer.  The problem is that with the Node 2i there is an MQA digital format that my EMM LABS cannot read.  The Node has a workaround where you disable MQA for the digital out which converts the signal to Hi-Rez files.  My DCC2 could read the HR files from my OPPO or at least convert them internally to a standard rez file.  But the DCC2 cannot read the HR stream from the Node.  Does anyone have a solution?  You EMM LABS users (not many) have you found any solutions when using a Node (probably even fewer).  Not sure if anyone even has this combination of old DAC and new streamer, etc.  Have I been generation gapped?  The DCC2 is a GREAT sounding DAC even to this day, though.  And sounds a lot better than the Node DAC.  
tjkurita
tjkurita OP
47 posts
 
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. 
tjkurita OP
47 posts
 
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. 
alchemyman
21 posts
 
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.
tjkurita OP
47 posts
 
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.  
mahler123
3,318 posts
 
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.  
More to discover