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Bluesound Node 2i digital output problems...

I took delivery of a Bluesound Node 2i a few days ago and am so far happy with it apart from a few quirks with
the software and how it works with Tidal. Also a little disappointed that it doesn’t directly support Bandcamp.

The bigger potential issue is with the digital outputs. My amp has a built in DAC and I was just curious to see if there was an audible difference between using it and the one internal to the Bluesound but wasn’t expecting the difference I got:

—when connecting the Bluesound with either coax or optical to my Onkyo A-9010 integrated amp, sound only outputs through the left channel, not the right so I’m only getting sound out of one speaker. Both cables are brand new and no amount of wiggling or reinstallation makes a difference. Operation is flawless when using the RCA outputs from the Bluesound to the amp.

I’m not finding anyone discussing the problem of single channel output online anywhere so I’m wondering if I’m missing something really obvious about why this problem might be occurring.

Any ideas?


pip_helix
jmphotography's avatar
jmphotography
161 posts
 
If you tried both optical and coax I would say its a hardware problem. I would have it replaced right away if you bought it brand new.
jond's avatar
jond
5,687 posts
 
No comment on the output issue but I will say I am not aware of any streamers that have integrated Bandcamp.
pip_helix OP
30 posts
 
I have tried other cables that have worked in other applications. I could try plugging my TV into the amp via toslink and see what happens. That’s the only way for me to test the amp itself. 

@jond: I’ve noticed that about Bandcamp after poking around this morning. I guess that’s because anyone not using an Apple product can just download the FLAC files and play them?
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
i agree w hilde

seems like u have a hardware problem with the node 2i, is it a brand new unit?

trust u have done the standard troubleshooting using various amp inputs, swapping cabling one channel to other, trying different digital cables into the node 

no reason whatsoever for the node to have one channel w output the other channel silent

bluesound support is quite responsive... am sure they will address

good luck
guy-incognito's avatar
guy-incognito
169 posts
 
Have you looked through the settings yet? You can change the output mode between stereo, mono, left and right. 

Settings, Player, Audio, Output Mode.

Also, if the internal DAC in your Marantz is not MQA capable you can turn off the "MQA external DAC" toggle so the bluesound will still do the first unfold. 

Hope this helps.
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