Powernode (n330) making clicking nosies thru speakers when changing or starting tracks from Roon

Audio Gear Talk BluOS: NAD & Bluesound
1

I just received the new Bluesound Powernode (n330) and using Roon as my playback source. When I change tracks or start a new track, the Powernode clicks thru the speakers before playing the track. I’m running all the latest versions of Roon (1.8 Build 814) and Bluesound firmware 3.14.26. I’ve factory reset the Powernode and have all the default values for Roon and the PowerNode. I’ve also swapped cables and speakers which yields the same results.

Is this a known issue? Has anyone else experienced this issue?

2

Is it a click or actually rather a loud(ish) pop?

3

Hi, this is a known issue, I reported this to Bluesound support over a month ago. They were able to reproduce it. This issue will fixed in a new firmware release. No date given by Bluesound.

Cheers John

4

Its three or four faint clicks when changing tracks and occurs on the same or different resolution tracks.

5

@JTD - Thanks for the response and conformation of it being an issue that sounds like it will be resolved with a firmware update. I submitted a case as well and if I hear back on a release date, I’ll report back.

Also, curious how has your long term experience (sound quality) been with the Powernode (N330)?

6

Hi, I don’t know, I own two N130 and they have the same firmware 13.4.26
The sound quality is ok, but my Matrix mini-pro3 sounds better. I bought the Bluesound because they support so many streaming services.

7

I sold my 2 nodes N130 because Bluesound engineering is unable to fix the plops before starting a track with another audio format ( another bitrate)
The latest firmware 3.20.46 should have been the fix to remove the plops.
After testing, various audio formats from a usb stick in the N130 and using my cans to listen and so excluding “all” external gear, the plops did not go away.

This was on the Bluesound website:

This is a maintenance release of [BluOS 3.20.46],
ONLY* for Bluesound [NODE (N130)]

  • Improved handling when transitioning between different audio formats.
  • Updates to ROON initialization

I returned to Matrix Audio, the good old Element i everything smooth again.

Cheers John

8

Thanks for the update. I too am frustrated that this hasn’t been resolved and surprised not to see others pick up on this issue. I hope to see engineering put a greater focus to resolve this issue.

9

I’ll note this also occurs when streaming directly Apple Music via Airplay 2 when the bitrate changes (44.1/16 >> 192/24) on the N130 (Node) and N330 (PowerNode). I wonder if this occurs on other BlueSound streaming devices such as the NAD C700?