2. digital
  3. 153825-9370

[help] I'm too Boomer to stream. :-(

So I purchased a Bluesound node 2i after a previous discussion here. Now I can't get the node or BluOs program to recognize my music on other laptops that are on my same wifi.  When my laptop and hard drive was connected to my Parasound Zdac, I could usb the computer into the dac, and use an optical cable from my tv out to the dac.  The node doesn't seem to have a way to allow my tv into the node's dac (my tv only has optical & hdmi out for sound) & node has no inputs for hdmi or toslink) so I'm stuck with the dac of the node for streaming music and the zdac for tv audio with the two different analog outputs from 2 different dacs going into my integrated amp. I'm frustrated and feel like I spent this money for a ghetto rig, plus I can't even make libraries , etc. Totally confused and have tried making everthing "dicoverable " on network setting to no avail. So lost, angry, sad, confused and frustrated. And I swear to god if millerwhoever says I should have bought a tricked out fuse or dumb little cone, I'm gonna lose my s***.
labguy

Showing 5 responses by melvinjames

melvinjames
416 posts
 
First, the Node 2i does indeed have Toslink input .. it’s a combo 3.5mm/mini-Toslink port. You’ll need an appropriate cable like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/C2G-Cables-27016-Toslink-Cable/dp/B0002JFN1A

or get an adapter for one end of a standard Toslink cable.

There’s a setting in the BluOS app for allowing/disallowing auto-detect of an Optical-in signal.
melvinjames
416 posts
 
Second, there is a bit of a learning curve so you need to take a deep breath Boomer. (I'm also a Boomer and have had plenty of frustrations with computer/digital audio over the years.)

Now I can't get the node or BluOs program to recognize my music on other laptops that are on my same wifi.

The setup for NAS is a bit finicky on the BluOS platform and was the cause of most of my initial frustrations with the Node. Once you get it sorted you'll find it to be quite a nice product. Bluesound Support is very responsive and helpful. If you haven't contacted them yet, now might be a good time to do so. Their support forum members are helpful as well:

https://helpdesk.bluesound.com/discussions/index.php?sid=7ea3bc140f8802aae4fe62cff2e9eabb

Generally speaking, you would locate your music library on the network in some way, whether a simple hard drive connected to your router or a full-blown NAS solution like QNAP. What exactly are you trying to do with your other laptops in the mix?

melvinjames
416 posts
 
If the idea behind Node 2i was to eliminate laptop from your system, then Node 2i makes perfect sense. I would connect Node 2i using its RCA out to your Integrated. Secondly, I would transfer all the music from your laptop to NAS and connect the NAS directly into Node2 USB input. The default password for external NAS access is ‘admin’.

Connecting an external hard drive via the Node's USB input is the quick and dirty way but Bluesound doesn't recommend it for the long term (there are technical reasons why). That said, it's very convenient when a friend drops by with a thumb drive full of music for you to listen to and it doesn't affect your library of music which you have painstakingly created.

The easiest and more stable way is, as already mentioned, to connect an external hard drive(s) full of music to your router/switch via USB and go through the discovery/share process with the BluOS app.

Sorry, the node 2i internal DAC cannot be used with external devices.

Except for that mini-Toslink input :-)


melvinjames
416 posts
 
Get a 10 year old to help you.

Now that's funny!
melvinjames
416 posts
 
Sounds like the cool box is a range extender which could help unless you have drop outs now you will probably still have them. Using a mesh system might be a better option.

That's exactly what it is. I went the mesh route personally, a terrific solution for my needs, which include both a Sonore microRendu and a Bluesound Node 2.
More to discover