I’ve always loved Bluesound’s naming of its music streamers, which are now in their 13th year of existence. In medical terms, nodes are small filters throughout the body, while in more general terms a node can mean a point in a network where lines or paths intersect. It seems particularly appropriate now, though, because Lenbrook (who owns Bluesound, as well as NAD and PSB Speakers) tells me that the Bluesound team has identified 17 change points in the audio signal path of a music recording, from the moment an artist sings in a music recording . microphone, to a listener who hears it – think microphone level, patch bay, audio interfaces, processing and so on.
Interesting, isn’t it? That’s seventeen chances that the authenticity of a recording is a bit shaky – and Bluesound doesn’t want that. The team are all avid fans of live music, so the aim of the Node range, says Bluesound, is to “make the digital disappear”, that is, to make the potential pitfalls in the chain disappear.
And Bluesound has three options with which it aims to achieve this, from the smaller Node Nano to the newest and largest Node Icon. It doesn’t take a genius to see that with this foray into more elite territory, Bluesound clearly wants to include the Cambridge Audio CXN100 network player – because the flagship Node Icon, the most expensive of the trio, costs exactly the same money. And at first I have to say that I like it.
Know your nodes
Bluesound’s digital music streamers are for you if you want something little better from your music source and you want to stream in high resolution to whatever stereo system you have. To do this, you can choose from Bluesound’s entry-level Node Nano, the Node Classic (first released 12 years ago as the N100, and Bluesound’s most popular and beloved product ever) and the flagship Node Icon.
Firstly, the smallest and most wallet-friendly Nano. It’s a sleek and compact little streamer that provides the essential features to transform existing hi-fi components and home audio devices into a music streaming system. Built using an audiophile Ess Saber DAC and dual-band WiFi to deliver music (up to 24-bit/192kHz), you get analog and digital outputs for RCA, Coax, Optical and USB. How does it work? Simply connect it to your existing stereo system or active speakers, follow the few steps to connect it to your home network and start streaming in high resolution.
The Node Nano is powered by BluOS from Bluesound and natively supports Amazon Music, Qobuz, SiriusXM, Tidal and more. It also features Apple AirPlay 2, aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. You also get a backlit touchscreen for quick operation and access to up to two programmable presets.
Now to the mid-range Node. This is a major remastering of the original Node, featuring an all-new Ess Saber ES9039Q2M DAC plus redesigned components and circuitry, a built-in THX AAA headphone amplifier, aptX Adaptive Bluetooth and DSD support. Connect the new Node to a stereo amplifier or a pair of powered speakers and you’re done: stream all the music ever recorded, but with more detail and clarity.
In this model, in addition to digital/analog inputs, you also get outputs and you can connect the Node to your TV and game console with HDMI eARC. It also features built-in IR learning for universal control, and a proximity-sensitive touch panel with up to five programmable source presets.
The flagship Node Icon “sets a new benchmark for wireless music streamers,” says Bluesound, thanks to its five-inch color display plus a dual-mono DAC design with not one but two Ess Saber ES9039Q2M DACs. Bluesound tells me that the performance of this DAC setup is further enhanced by MQA Labs’ QRONO d2a technology, which “corrects any timing errors in the digital-to-analog conversion process and realigns the timing response with the original recording” .
Both the Node and Node Icon feature THX AAA headphone amplifier technology, with proprietary feed-forward error correction, but while the Node features a full-size 1/4 headphone jack, the Node Icon features both left and right jacks for cable management on the back of the device – if you want to share your hi-res audio, that is…
Additionally, the Node and Node Icon are ready for Dirac Live Room Correction, an upgrade available directly from Dirac, but you must purchase it. Using the Dirac app, users can then measure the acoustics of their room to eliminate bass traps, echoes and other unwanted distortions in their space. A calibration kit with a high-sensitivity microphone is also required, but this is available from Bluesound (as an additional purchase).
The Node Icon also features all digital/analog inputs and outputs, including HDMI eARC and balanced XLR outputs for high-quality connectivity.
DAC performance is further enhanced by MQA Labs’ revolutionary technology, QRONO d2a, which corrects any timing errors in the digital-to-analog conversion process and realigns the timing response with the original recording.
Prices? Of course: the Bluesound The Node Nano is available now for £299 (about $399 or AU$580). The Node is also available now for £499 (so about $670 or AU$970) in both black and white finishes. The Bluesound Node Icon will be available for pre-order from October 17, priced at £899 (approximately $1,200 or AU$1,770). bluesound.com and at Bluesound dealers worldwide. The Node Icon will ship to customers and dealer locations worldwide starting November 15.