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Can't get Bluesound Node to connect to DAC via iFi iPurifier2 ?

Hello, I am hoping that the collective wisdom of this community can help me figure out what I am doing wrong. I have Bluesound node as a streamer going into Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE via DH Labs 750 Silver Sonic RSA coax cable. The Dac connects via RSA to a Topping Pre90 for volume control back to my Audio Note Oto SE. This configuration works fine when streaming Quboz music. I then decided to add a SPDIF iFi iPurifier2 to the chain. I connected from Bluesound Node Coax input (they only have one) via DH Labs cable to the input section of the iFi Purifier and then connected the iFi output to the Coax input on my AM DAC. When I go to set the AM Dac to Coax, nothing comes out and the light that normally lights up to confirm the Coax selection isnt lit. Similarily, I tried to use Toslink DH Labs optical cable connecting it as well from the iFi optical output to the optical input on my DAC. Again nothing. But when I take the iFI iPurifier out of the link and do just coax Bluesound node to DAC, no problem - it sounds great. I was just trying to see if the iFi would take out some of the jitter from the Bluesound node before it went to my DAC. Any ideas, suggestions would be appreciated. And yes I did turn the complete system on and off to see if the Bluesound Node would recognize the device in the digital chain. Thank you again !!

128x128phill55
mahler123
3,318 posts
 

Vlad the Impaler wants $1K to place a buffer in a digital outlet that you  won’t be able to use? What a guy.

 

I don’t want to sound like an a—hole, and I realize that it isn’t my money, but I would cut bait. Sell off the DAC, Node and iFi component.

use the funds to buy a streamer DAC that will easily best the Node. The new Cambridge Audio series, which I think uses the same ESS chip as the Node, could probably be purchased for what you will make by selling the current setup. As someone who has owned both the Node and the CXN 100, I guarantee you that CA does a lot better job at implementing the chip.

 

mahler123
3,318 posts
 

Speaking of the DAC in the Node, is it possible to use the iFi device without the external DAC and just use the internal DAC in the Node?  The Node would have to output the stream to the iFi and the iFi would then send it back to the digital input of the Node.  If that is possible, and if that works, then at least you know that the problem is with the iFi-AM DAC interface 

phill55's avatar
phill55 OP
142 posts
 

@mahler123 - the chip in the Audios Mirror Tubadour III TUBADOUR III SE – Audio Mirror uses a Analog devices AD1865N-K flagship DAC chip. This chip is superior to the node chip. Interesting feedback from one of the technicians at Bluesound. The node outputs PCM format and the iPurifier2 is looking for bitstream format. Same goes for the CD player. Unless someone has another idea - looks like I will be sending it back. 

mahler123
3,318 posts
 

I don’t doubt that the external DAC is better than the DaAC in the Node, but I was suggesting a way to localize the issue.  At any rate I would go with what the Bluesound Tech says 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,920 posts
 

@phill55 you should send it back. Also, if your node has USB out you should definitely try that with your DAC. It may potentially sound better than spdif

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