Bluesound Introduces New NODE ICON, NODE NANO and NODE Wireless Music Streamers
Bluesound has been making waves in the industry for a while with its wireless streamers, and now three new ones are coming to the market.
The NODE ICON is the flagship and is equipped with a large 5-inch full-colour display. It uses a Dual-Mono DAC design with two ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M DACs and the two-channel ES9826 Sabre ADC, powered by a low-noise power supply.
All that is enclosed in an aluminium chassis finished in a sleek, glossy black. It sports balanced XLR outputs, along with RCA, coax and optical outputs as well as an HDMI eARC port and a ¼-inch headphone jack. The NODE ICON supports Dirac’s Live Room Correction, which requires a license purchase and calibration kit from Dirac in order to measure a room’s acoustics and eliminate standing waves, reverberations and other unwanted distortion.
The NODE ICON also supports THX AAA headphone technology along with DSD playback and MQA Labs’ QRONO d2a technology that will correct timing errors in the digital-to-analogue conversion process.
Morten Nielsen, Associate Product Manager at Bluesound told StereoNET:
“The NODE ICON represents a new pinnacle in wireless streaming, crafted for those who demand nothing but the best for their music. Every aspect of its design has been engineered to perfection, from the revolutionary Dual-Mono DAC design featuring ESS SABRE technology that delivers unparalleled sonic clarity, to its stunning aluminum chassis and 5” full-colour display. The NODE ICON isn’t just a streamer—it redefines stereo components for the next generation of HiFi streaming.”
The new NODE wireless streamer might look rather identical to the older NODE, but it has been updated with new components and circuitry such the new ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M DAC. The DAC and signal path are engineered to be pristine and reduce jitter and interference, resulting in better performance.
Matt Simmonds, Product Manager at Bluesound told StereoNET:
“The original NODE set the standard for performance, and it continues to be the most recommended streamer in the category today. We've meticulously re-engineered its components and circuitry to not only elevate sound quality but also to streamline its integration into any home audio system. Whether you’re a dedicated audiophile or just someone who loves great-sounding music, the NODE is designed to enhance your listening in every way.”
The NODE has RCA, coax, optical and USB outputs, with a ¼-inch headphone jack and an HDMI eARC port to facilitate connection with home entertainment systems. This model also supports THX AAA and DSD playback, and is compatible with Dirac’s Live Room Correction as well.
For the folks who might not have as much space at home, the Bluesound NODE NANO is a compact wireless streamer that will fit into tight spaces. Running on the same ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M DAC as the other models, the NODE NANO comes with analog and digital outputs for RCA, coax, optical and USB.
Running on BlueOS, the NODE NANO (along with the NODE and NODE ICON) natively supports streaming services such as Amazon Music, Tidal and more. There’s also Apple AirPlay 2, aptX support, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect for convenient connectivity and streaming. There’s support for MQA, and a future BluOS update is in the works to add DSD256 support.
The Bluesound NODE NANO is now available at £299/ €349 while the Bluesound NODE is available for pre-order in black and white for £499/ €599 and will begin shipping on 24 September 2024. Finally, the Bluesound NODE ICON is available for pre-order at £899/ €1,099 and will begin shipping to customers and dealers worldwide on 15 November 2024.
For more information visit Bluesound
Cheryl Tan
After diving down the custom IEMs rabbit hole since she was 18, Cheryl has embarked on a long journey trying out as many audio products as possible ever since. She’s still waiting for the day a company can create a pair of true wireless earbuds that sound just as good as wired earphones.
Posted in: Hi-Fi
JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION
Want to share your opinion or get advice from other enthusiasts? Then head into the Message
Forums where thousands of other enthusiasts are communicating on a daily basis.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE MEMBERSHIP
Trending
applause awards
Each time StereoNET reviews a product, it is considered for an Applause Award. Winning one marks it out as a design of great quality and distinction – a special product in its class, on the grounds of either performance, value for money, or usually both.
Applause Awards are personally issued by StereoNET’s global Editor-in-Chief, David Price – who has over three decades of experience reviewing hi-fi products at the highest level – after consulting with our senior editorial team. They are not automatically given with all reviews, nor can manufacturers purchase them.
The StereoNET editorial team includes some of the world’s most experienced and respected hi-fi journalists with a vast wealth of knowledge. Some have edited popular English language hi-fi magazines, and others have been senior contributors to famous audio journals stretching back to the late 1970s. And we also employ professional IT and home theatre specialists who work at the cutting edge of today’s technology.
We believe that no other online hi-fi and home cinema resource offers such expert knowledge, so when StereoNET gives an Applause Award, it is a trustworthy hallmark of quality. Receiving such an award is the prerequisite to becoming eligible for our annual Product of the Year awards, awarded only to the finest designs in their respective categories. Buyers of hi-fi, home cinema, and headphones can be sure that a StereoNET Applause Award winner is worthy of your most serious attention.