Its similar, the MQA also has similarities in how its filters works. I suspect that the apodising filters where the ”seed” that made Meridian develop MQA it’s the same fundamental misconception/misunderstanding on how reconstruction filters in DAC’s should work ?
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Bluesound Node Icon Streamer Review
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
This review is helpful, it's one of several products under consideration. My usage would be USB out to my own DAC. I would want to run Qobuz and also play from my personal library on SSD via USB input.
If you want a streamer and just plan to use its digital out, the Node Nano, or Wiim Ultra are ~1/3rd the cost of the Icon.
When I looked at the Wiim Ultra, it didn't look like I could use USB to DAC and also for plugging in an SSD.
I believe there is only one USB port. You may be able to use it for one or the other, but not for both (at the same time).
Yes there is only the one USB port on the WiiM. Your DAC doesn't have coax or optical input? You can do optical out on the WiiM and use the USB as a shared drive which is what I do. I think the Node only does up to 24/192 on whichever digital out you use including USB according to the manual. Maybe there's some other advantage to using USB other than the bit rate?
somebodyelse
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It only has one port, but if you plug in a USB hub you can connect multiple devices to it. That way you can use both a USB drive and a USB DAC - or even multiple DACs as each one will be separately selectable as the output.
My understanding is that USB is an asynchronous transfer which is less likely to have jitter issues. I've had good results using it so I prefer to continue doing that regardless of any difference (or lack of) with other connections.
As far as cost, the cheapest thing would be to continue using a Mac Mini. Unfortunately, I've found that some idiosyncrasies of Mac computers are extremely annoying so I'm looking for a better solution.
I am willing to pay a little more for a nice front panel display and a nicely constructed enclosure even though those details don't affect the sound. To me, the user interface is the most important feature of a streamer, so I'd also like to avoid glitchy and over complicated apps.
I am willing to pay a little more for a nice front panel display and a nicely constructed enclosure even though those details don't affect the sound. To me, the user interface is the most important feature of a streamer, so I'd also like to avoid glitchy and over complicated apps.
iNetRunner
Member
USB is usually using synchronous transfer modes/methods. (I.e. host controls the clock.) Asynchronous is possible, but more rarely used than synchronous transfer modes. (There’s also adaptive transfer mode. Better than synchronous, but it is worse than asynchronous mode for audio signals.)
I.e. without further specifications or definitions, you don’t know the USB Audio transfer mode/method (synchronous/adaptive/asynchronous).
Nearly all modern DACs run in Asynchronous mode on USB. (Dac clock not synchronised to host/source clock)
This is true - in fact jitter is irrelevant when using asynchronous USB.
However Jitter on other interfaces is also a non issue. Modern dacs are more than capable of rejecting jitter to well below inaudible levels. And there can be much more significant benefits of using them - such as complete ground loop elimination when using Toslinik.
What are these? I use a mac routinely (while also using it for normal mac stuff) and don't have any issues that annoy me.
steve59
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I was streaming to a Project prebox s2 digital that quit working so I brought home the node icon. I appreciated the borderless multi dimensional soundstage many hi rez (24/192) mqa delivered. A couple things, roon still carries some 44.1mqa versions, but the reason I went with bluesound was because many owners suggested I try it as they still get mqa on the bluesound streaming app. Well yes and no. The roon streaming software is so much more polished and also shows the same mqa 44.1.
The roon streamer is really well done and I'd recommend it as a streamer over the bluesound because it's so intuitive in comparison, but we're still adding a dac.
The roon streamer is really well done and I'd recommend it as a streamer over the bluesound because it's so intuitive in comparison, but we're still adding a dac.
iNetRunner
Member
That’s probably true about most new USB DACs. My point was that USB connection alone doesn’t guarantee asynchronous connections.
For one, Apple seems to enjoy rebooting fairly often which requires hooking up a monitor, logging in, and restarting my music app. I know I could turn off automatic updates but some of them are significant and needed.
Also had an automatic update “optimize” my storage by erasing my music library. I realize it may be optimum for them if everyone uses Apple Music and listens to their files, but I prefer not to do that! Fortunately I had my library backed up.
Another time it seemed I couldn’t get music to play through the USB and only Airplay would work. Then just as suddenly the USB started working again.
I’m sure there were other hiccups but those are the ones that come to mind.
Also had an automatic update “optimize” my storage by erasing my music library. I realize it may be optimum for them if everyone uses Apple Music and listens to their files, but I prefer not to do that! Fortunately I had my library backed up.
Another time it seemed I couldn’t get music to play through the USB and only Airplay would work. Then just as suddenly the USB started working again.
I’m sure there were other hiccups but those are the ones that come to mind.
OK - I can see trying to run one headless might be an issue.
Looks like I'm going with the Matrix Audio TT-1...
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