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Bluesound Node 2i with Denafrips Ares ii

I recently decided to improve my streaming experiance by adding an out board DAC, Denafrips Ares ii, to my Node 2i whilst keeping the Node as a streamer. The set is an improvement but the Ares only see music files as 44.1 by x1 even when hi res files are being played. I think there is some conflict with BluOS and Tidal apps but cannot solve the problem. In the BluOS Settings - Audio, I have turned on the Digital Passthrough and turned off the Audio Clock Trim but the problem still exists.In Settings under Player how should the WiFi be set? the Configure Wireless shows the name of my router. What should the Customize Sources be set to? there are three options here, Bluetooth, which is set to Automatic, and Analog Input and Optical Input that I have not messed with. When in Tidal and I select the input device, little speaker on the top right of the screen, I get the option of iPhone and Airplay & Bluetooth so I pick the latter which gives me the option of the iPhone and the Node so I pick the Node. But when I pick the Node I sometimes get the message 'AirPlay- Unable to connect to "Node 2i - stereo". Should I start Tidal from inside the BluSO app or should I start it in the Tidal app? This is all incredibly frustrating; time to put some vinyl on the Linn.

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16 posts
 

audphile1 and cbrez, thanks for your help. I have the Node connected to the router with an ethernet cable; soon to have an ethernet switch between them as that is suppose to improve the SQ. I think my problem was getting the BluOS app to recognize the router. I went throught the 'Settings' again and named the router and re-entered the password. Now I go into Tidal via the BluSO app and when I select the source I get the Airplay & Bluetooth option but also get the Tidal connect option for the Node which is the one I pick. Now the Denafrips selects the appropriate resolution during playback. All a bit of a learning curve for an old analogue guy.

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audphile1
5,393 posts
 

Cool. As to switch…unless you are looking to split Ethernet don’t bother. Get a good Ethernet cable instead 

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16 posts
 

I do have a good ethernet cable so covered on that aspect. Of course things went pair shapped again. Went into Tidal via BluOS and Tidal Connect was not showing. Deleted and re-installed the Tidal app but all my downloads and Playlists went missing, oh joy. I guess this is why I will never get rid of hard copies, vinyl, of the music I love. I did install the ethernet switch between the router and the Node but Tidal does not see the Node streamer anymore; give me strenght! But the Node is seen by Qobuz, go figure. The Node is ahown as a Player in the BluOS app and, as I said, with Qobuz. I do not see an option to add a player in Tidal. Looks like I will dump my Tidal subscription. Time to pour some wine and put a record on the turntable which all works without issue.

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audphile1
5,393 posts
 

I don’t think you need to use tidal connect. You should be logging into tidal from the BluOS once to set it up. From that point forward you should be streaming with BluOS from your smart phone or tablet. 

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