Why would the digital optical output from my CD player be louder than that of my streamer?

Can you connect the Bluesnode to your DAC via Toslink to compare? Maybe the Toslink inout on your DAC is louder than the USB. I am assuming that USB is how the Bluenode is connected.

@yyzsantabarbara 

Normally, I use the coax output (SPDIF) from the Bluenode to my DAC. Unfortunately, that’s not possible right now — the Coax output on my Bluenode crapped out this week. But you’ve given me an idea – I have a new DAC with a USB input, so I could use the USB output from the Bluenode to the DAC, and compare that with the optical output. I’ll let you know how it goes; thanks! 

I thought that a digital output audio signal didn’t have volume info encoded in it;

For normal stereo this is true, but HDCD and movie soundtrack break this somewhat. Generally not things you need to care about when playing CDs.

The amount of gain applied is entirely up to the device that creates the analog signal.

This also assumes neither player has a volume control. :)

My CD player is louder too. More voltage. Mystery solved.

cheeg

A higher Voltage output via a CD player.

Happy Listening!