@larry5729
I'm curious about the MQA comparison myself, whether the Node 2 will "do better" with its built-in DAC that's optimized for MQA. As soon as I get everything in place with the right cables and such, I'm going to do a direct comparison of the two DACs regarding MQA. Still waiting on some cables, but should be soon... |
I believe the usb port on the node2 is for diagnosis not for output. Try a coaxial cable. |
Marv, did you D L the driver with the Qutest |
The real question is do you like the sound better after adding the external DAC? In my case, I preferred the Node 2i played by itself without the DAC. The DAC made things sound thinner. Probably has something to do with the quality of the DAC. I also can hear a slight sound difference when playing MQA. Could be the Emperors New Cloths phenomenon. Wonder if anyone in this group notices a better sound stage when unfolding MQA entirely? Be curious what you hear using the Qutest that you don't hear playing the Node 2i by itself. So much to learn. So much to spend to hear 1% to 2% more. Only thing I need is more money and a wife that will allow me to continue to spend more money. So far the biggest sound difference was adding a pair of REL S2 SHO subwoofers. Once dialing them in, the sound stages becomes so much bigger. |
Just a tip on the optical cable.
Before plugging into the target component make sure you can see light coming from the cable. If you don't see any you won't get a signal.
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@ericsch
Thanks for another great suggestion, will check it out.
@sokogear
In due time...very much planning on getting back into vinyl, but need to work with what I have first. |
“Try vinyl and stay clear of the computer.....”
ROFLMAO!!!! |
Try vinyl and stay clear of the computer..... |
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@adg101
Thanks, I have a pretty good Morrow power cable I can try with it, will see how that goes. And definitely checking out Nordost for the coaxial. These alterations are gonna take a little time to implement, but looking forward to hearing the improvements.
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Very happy with my Nordost Silver Shadow RCA/BNC. As far as a power cord for your Node I purchased the parts from VH Audio and built my own with their two conductor shielded power cable, tied the shield to the wall plug. For plugs I went with Furutech. Take you less than an hour to put it together. Big step up from the stock PC. |
@hshifi
That sounds good, am definitely gonna get a Coax/BnC cable and will look into Nordost and Audio Quest. Thanks for the recommendation. |
Hello,
Maybe resettling the node if you can. Definitely upgrade the cables as your budget can allow. Drop the optical or toslink and go to Coax/ BnC and the network cable. Nordost purple or audio quest should do the job. One thing at a time. If the sound does not improve rerun it and spend your dollars elsewhere. |
@adg101
@plaw
Great advice and recommendations, thanks so much. Will try all and see how it goes. Even just getting the Qutest connected with the optical I can hear some change in the sound...a slight widening of the soundstage being the most prominent. So I'm guessing using the coax cable, along with a Cat8 and adjusting more of the Node 2's settings will render more substantial improvement in the sound.
@billzame
Yup, I think you're right, that was probably the initial problem |
I have a Node 2i.
I've used RCA out to a preamp and also used coax and optical out to an external DAC.
No settings changes were required. |
The optical cables have been known to break pretty easily - they are plastic - could have been there is a break in the cable. You need the BNC to RCA adapter if you want to use coaxial cable for the Qutest (not sure if one is in the Qutest package or not, I do not think so). I had that same setup for a while. It is best to use a coax cable, but you can use a regular RCA cable until you can get to the store - but you will still need the BNC to RCA adapter to put on the Qutest. |
Digital connections are not the same as analog connections. If analog cables are not connected quite right, the sound may be distorted; if digital cables are not connected quite right, there may be no sound at all. It sounds like your optical cables were not connected quite right. |
@jfarkash
Try the Audio Clock Trim off and to on to hear what you prefer. My RME can hand it it on or off just fine too but I hear a slight improvement with it off, a little more relax more analog I’d say. Also might want to on your node go to volume fix and just control volume through your integrated. Lastly if you’re using the stock power cord on your Node, get an aftermarket one and if you can run a Ethernet cable direct and not WiFi. Supra makes a really good Cat8 cable. Both the power cable and Ethernet connection/cable will improve the Node and let your Chord stretch its legs which will blow the DAC inside your Node away... should not even be close. Have fun. |
OK, so I was able to get the system working through the optical inputs. I'm guessing maybe one wasn't completely connected, although I checked them a few times, so who knows.
@infoseeker
What I see in the settings (under "Audio") is an 'Audio clock trim' toggle that mentions disabling it when using an external DAC that can't handle adjustments to the audio clock. I'm guessing the Qutest can probably handle this fine, but don't really know as there's no further info. Also, I see an 'MQA external DAC' toggle, but it's greyed out.
At least it's actually working now, which was the main problem. But yeah, optimizing it for this setup is something I'll keep exploring. Thank you for the suggestion. |
Check to see if you have the 'use external dac' setting chosen on the node2. |
Thanks facten. That's definitely correct about the Node 2 coaxial taking an RCA plug and the Chord having a BNC input. I'll look into the cables your describing and test something out as soon as I can. Will let you know how it goes. Thanks again. |
I don't have either unit so I can't say why you are having the problem you described.
Regarding your question about the coaxial connection , if my eyes aren't deceiving me from pictures of the backs of both units the Bluesound has a coaxial output that appears to take an RCA plug while the Chord has a BNC input. If that is correct you would need either a Digital S/pdif cable that has an RCA connector on one end and a BNC on the other, or
a Digital S/pdif cable
that has either 2 BNC connectors or 2 RCA connectors and then get an adaptor plug to convert either one BNC connector to RCA, or the converse |
