Post by audiot on Sept 21, 2023 14:54:55 GMT -5
Hello, I just want affirmation that the digital audio input sample rate indication is reliable on the Emotiva PT-100 pre-amp. If so, this indicates a discrepancy in the support of high resolution audio by Bluesound's NOTE streamer, as explained below.
Just days ago I bought the latest Bluesound NODE streaming device (2021 model), and some of the "HR" (high resolution audio) songs played from Amazon Music Unlimited and Qubuz thru Bluesound's "BlueOS" app (which is used to control the NODE) are only outputting at a 44.1 kHz sample rate, according to the PT-100, both for the Optical and USB inputs (did not try the coax input). These same songs play at 96 kHz sample rate when playing directly from the Amazon Music or Qobuz app on my Samsung S8 table, feeding the USB-C output into the PT-100, using a USB-C to USB-A converter dongle.
For example, these two songs:
- (1) The Smile “Skrting on the Surface”
- (2) Goatfuzz “Goat”
For both above songs, according to the PT-100, the NODE outputs these at 44.1 kHz (both optical and USB output). This is true when playing either from Amazon or Qobuz through the BlueOS application used to control the NODE.
When using my tablet, playing these songs through the native music applications, and outputting from the USB interface:
- Song (1) outputs at 96 kHz from the native Amazon and Qobuz apps
- Song (2) outputs at 96 kHz from Amazon, and 48 kHz from Qobuz apps
However, this is not always the case. For example, the songs on the Yoyo Ma “Six Evolutions”) album to play at 96 kHz from both the NODE and the native Amazon and Qobuz apps. Other songs through the NODE, from both Amazon and Qobuz do play at 48, 96, or 192 kHz. So it seems that some HR selections from from Amazon and Qobuz are "throttled" down to 44.1 kHz when played through the Qobuz app.
I am also discussing this with Bluesound, and they are not very quick to resolve, still awaiting their conclusive replay. Hopefully they are looking into this and will get back to me. But before declaring this NODE limitation in a more public review, I just want to be sure that the PT-100 reported sample rate is accurate. Does anyone have comments on this?
I may end up ordering the Cambridge CXN V2 Network Player to give that a try, to see if that streamer maintains HR sample rate through the the Cambridge streamer app.
If this throttling to 44.1 kHz throttling is actually true, then I wonder if this is being done by Bluesound or instead by the music provides (Amazon and Qobuz) when playing through BlueOS instead of their native apps. I think testing the Cambridge CXN V2 may provide some insight to that question.
Regards, "Audiot"
Just days ago I bought the latest Bluesound NODE streaming device (2021 model), and some of the "HR" (high resolution audio) songs played from Amazon Music Unlimited and Qubuz thru Bluesound's "BlueOS" app (which is used to control the NODE) are only outputting at a 44.1 kHz sample rate, according to the PT-100, both for the Optical and USB inputs (did not try the coax input). These same songs play at 96 kHz sample rate when playing directly from the Amazon Music or Qobuz app on my Samsung S8 table, feeding the USB-C output into the PT-100, using a USB-C to USB-A converter dongle.
For example, these two songs:
- (1) The Smile “Skrting on the Surface”
- (2) Goatfuzz “Goat”
For both above songs, according to the PT-100, the NODE outputs these at 44.1 kHz (both optical and USB output). This is true when playing either from Amazon or Qobuz through the BlueOS application used to control the NODE.
When using my tablet, playing these songs through the native music applications, and outputting from the USB interface:
- Song (1) outputs at 96 kHz from the native Amazon and Qobuz apps
- Song (2) outputs at 96 kHz from Amazon, and 48 kHz from Qobuz apps
However, this is not always the case. For example, the songs on the Yoyo Ma “Six Evolutions”) album to play at 96 kHz from both the NODE and the native Amazon and Qobuz apps. Other songs through the NODE, from both Amazon and Qobuz do play at 48, 96, or 192 kHz. So it seems that some HR selections from from Amazon and Qobuz are "throttled" down to 44.1 kHz when played through the Qobuz app.
I am also discussing this with Bluesound, and they are not very quick to resolve, still awaiting their conclusive replay. Hopefully they are looking into this and will get back to me. But before declaring this NODE limitation in a more public review, I just want to be sure that the PT-100 reported sample rate is accurate. Does anyone have comments on this?
I may end up ordering the Cambridge CXN V2 Network Player to give that a try, to see if that streamer maintains HR sample rate through the the Cambridge streamer app.
If this throttling to 44.1 kHz throttling is actually true, then I wonder if this is being done by Bluesound or instead by the music provides (Amazon and Qobuz) when playing through BlueOS instead of their native apps. I think testing the Cambridge CXN V2 may provide some insight to that question.
Regards, "Audiot"
