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Streaming to outboard DACs - file format issues

Hello,

I recently purchased a Node2i and prefer the qualities of my original Peachtree Audio Dacit over the built-in DAC (bottom end on Dacit is significantly better to my ears). I’m streaming to my DAC via Coax, and from my research the Dacit supports high res file formats via Coax.

However, I’m having trouble streaming high res files from various platforms. For example;

1. AmazonHD: Files won’t play. I can play the simple HD and lower files no problem, but none of the UltraHD play
2. Spotify: All files play
3. Tidal: Even with my settings set to Hifi and not MQA (the Dacit is not MQA compatible), some songs play and others don’t. Anything with a ’masters’ tag is 50/50 playing. This doesn’t make sense to me since I have my settings not to play MQA.

Is this just streaming in general? Are my issues with an older DAC or is it streamer based? I have some time to return the Node2i but would like to know where the issue lies before I do that, or buy a new DAC; is this a streamer or DAC or platform issue?

Thanks for your time,

J
halifaxj
halifaxj OP
13 posts
 
fuzztone - your outboard dac? Seems that most dacs now support up to 192. The original peachtree doesn't. 

Since I'm streaming hifi from Tidal and Amazon HD, the 192 files just won't play. 

If I use the dac that's in the node2i, it plays any file I throw at it. 
halifaxj OP
13 posts
 
Upon further research, it seems that the Dacit should be supporting data at 192. So something might be wrong with the Node2i that it is not sending high res files through?

Or maybe I'm missing something about using external dacs and streamers. 
nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
Yeah, both the Node 2i and Dacit should support 24-bit / 192kHz out and in over coaxial, so if things are working from the Node 2i analog output I'm not sure where the problem is coming from.

You might try troubleshooting with some alternate gear, or reaching out to the manufacturers to see if they have any ideas.
halifaxj OP
13 posts
 
both Tidal and Amazon have not provided any meaningful support - just generic answers about going into my settings. I've done that but still have issues. 

I've written PeachTree to see if they have any insight. 

Just want to make sure it's not my Node2i, which I can return if it is. But difficult to pinpoint. 
halifaxj OP
13 posts
 
To add to the confusion...

Almost 99% of the Tidal streams, set to Hifi, will play. However, some songs will have pops along the way. I would typically assume this is related to a bad connection somewhere. I can replay the song, and there is a pop every time. 

Now if I switch to high quality instead of hifi, the pops go away. 

Does this sound like I have a deffective node2i?
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