Hi,
I'm going to buy the Bluesound Node 2i streamer and I would like to have full MQA decoding/rendering with Tidal Hi-Fi, so the X16 is my only option so far (Mytek Liberty and iFi Neo iDSD are too expensive for me).
I currently have the SMSL SU-9 DAC, but I won't get full MQA rendering with the Node 2i due to the lack of USB output on the Node 2i, so I'm seriously thinking in buying the X16 and sending the SU-9 back to Amazon. I also am not happy with the SU-9 build quality and other 'features', sound is awesome though:
- I have the 3 rubber feet issue, mine is not stable
- I have issues with the USB connector
- I don't like the volume indicator so huge, so I prefer the sample rate with big numbers like the X16 does (yes, I'm a rare guy).
- The remote control seems cheap, there are 3 buttons with no associated functions (it's a generic remote control for other devices too).
- The sound color filters are placebo (but I already knew this before buying).
In short:
Will there be any problem with the Node 2i<->X16 connection in order to play MQA at 352.8kHz as maximum? I need to know this before ordering.
Thanks in advance
PS. I got in touch with Audiophonics, and they told me that the X16 should be back in stock at the end of this month. Hope that helps.
I checked on the bluesound forums and seems that the Node 2i will do the first unfold of the MQA file (decode) and send it decoded to the digital output. So it will work.
X16 does the first unfold on the USB chip, so if you feed it from any of the other inputs, it will need it to be unfolded outside the X16. But the rendering (second and third unfold) is done by the DAC chip, so in your case you should get the MQA 352.8kHz.
Also on another note, Audiophonics is the distributor, it cannot know more than the manufacturer, and the manufacturer answered in the message just before yours that he didn't know when he can ship. He is waiting for MQA approval.