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

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 

@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

So my experience with my Bluesound Node and Ifi wasn't good either. I have an Ifi Zen DAC V2 that worked great when I connected it via my MacBook to the stereo. BUT, connecting it to the Node didn't work out. I tried every connection imaginable, called and emailed Bluesound only to find out the my Node isn't compatible with the Ifi Zen DAC (according the Bluesound). Hopefully, you'll have better luck. Keep us posted.