UNLOCK THE WORLD OF MUSIC STREAMING.
Renowned for exceptional performance and value, the NODE is the ultimate HiFi streamer that easily connects to any stereo system to help you discover a universe of audio streaming. With all the inputs and outputs to please the most ardent audiophile, the NODE connects your gear to all the music ever recorded. With built-in premium hi-res music services like Tidal®, Spotify®, and Qobuz®, as well as virtually all other popular music services, internet radio and even your own digital music library held on a computer or external drive – the NODE brings infinite playback choices into your very own high fidelity sonic domain.
TAKE YOUR HIFI WI-FI.
First up, the NODE has enhanced dual band Wi-Fi, providing best-in-class performance even in crowded airspace. Bluetooth performance benefits from state-of-the-art aptX HD, supporting 24 bit streaming directly from your phone or tablet, and the ability to transmit studio-quality music to Bluetooth headphones and speakers, while built-in AirPlay 2 makes for easy integration into the Apple ecosystem. High-end DAC technology built into every Bluesound player can decode and stream MQA files in all their lossless glory.
FROM ANYWHERE TO EVERYWHERE.
Seamlessly connect the NODE to multiple Bluesound speakers throughout your home with the BluOS Controller app and create an intuitive multi-room music system unlike any other. The NODE is easier to control than ever – from smart devices or computer with the BluOS app, touch panel controls with presets, voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Voice, or by programming your own IR remote. The NODE can also be built into smart home control systems for a premium whole-home audio integration.
Features:
- Quad-core 1.8ghz Arm® Cortex™ A53 Processor
- 32-bit/384khz Premium Dac Design
- Hdmi Earc, Optical & Analog Inputs
- Stereo Analog Output
- Optical, Coaxial & Usb Audio Outputs
- Bluos™ Wireless Multi-room Music Capability
- Mqa Music And Hi-res Audio Streaming
- Airplay 2 Integration
- Works With Amazon Alexa And Google Assistant
- Dual-band Wi-fi + Gigabit Ethernet
- Two-way Aptx™ Hd Bluetooth
- Ir Remote Learning Capability
- Ir Input
- 12v Trigger Output
- Wired & Wireless Headphone Output
- Wired & Wireless Subwoofer Output
- Touch Controls With Presets
- Black Or White Finish
Specs
- Operating System: BluOS
- Supported Controller Operating System: iOS, Android, Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10, macOS 10.10-10.15, 11
- Supported Audio File Formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, WMA-L, OGG, ALAC, OPUS
- Supported Hi-Res Audio File Formats: FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4 SLS
- Supported Network File Sharing: Server Message Block (SMB)
- Native Sampling Rates: up to 192 kHz
- Bit Depths: 16-24
- Music Service Integrations: 23+
- 3rd-Party Integrations: AirPlay 2, Apple Wireless Accessory Configuration (WAC)
- Control System Integrations: Crestron, Control 4, RTI, ELAN, URC, Push, Lutron, iPort
- Voice Control Integrations: Amazon Alexa Skills; Actions on Google
More Features
- Status Indicator: LED x 2
- Play/Pause Button: Touch LED
- Volume Control Buttons: Touch Slider LED
- Previous/Next Track Buttons: Touch LED
- Preset Buttons: Touch LED
- Proximity Sensor: Yes
- Audio Controls & EQ: In-App
- Processor: ARM® Cortex™ -A53, Quad-Core, 1.8GHz per core
- DAC: 32-Bit, 384kHz
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: -113dBA
- Distortion: THD+N, 0.002%
Connections
- Power: Universal bi-pin AC cord input (100-240AC)
- Ethernet/LAN: Ethernet RJ45, GigE 1000 Mbps
- Wi-Fi Built In: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band
- Bluetooth Quality: Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Two-Way (transmit & receive)
- IR Optical Built In: IR Sensor Built In – front panel with IR Remote Learning
- IR Input: 3.5mm Jack
- Optical/Analog Input: Combo Mini TOSLINK; 3.5mm Analog Line In
- HDMI Input: HDMI eARC
- USB IN: Type A (Fat32 Formatted)
- Audio Output: Analog RCA Stereo with FIXED option
- Coaxial Output: RCA
- Optical Output: TOSLINK digital optical
- Trigger Out: 12 Volt
- Headphone Output: 3.5mm Stereo; Bluetooth
- Subwoofer Output: RCA x 1; Wireless to PULSE SUB+
- Finish: Black/White
- Version: N130
Acoustic Room Treatments
Bret U. –
I was looking for a streamer that did not use my iPhone as the source. Bluetooth has limited resolution on the iPhone. This did the trick. It used my ethernet connection to play Amazon HD music. I just use the iPhone to control the music selections. I can also use my PC. Something to note. I have 2 Wi-Fi networks. When setting the unit up the iPhone did not find the device at first because I was on the wrong Wi-Fi network. Once I connected to the Wi-Fi network that had the Ethernet connection the setup went flawlessly. As of now I have no reason to upgrade the DAC, it sounds wonderful! You can create playlists and with a touch at the top you can activate that playlist without pulling out a tablet or phone. Interesting bonus. The sub out will allow me to tap into my Theater sub when using my 2 channel amp and I can control the crossover point via phone or tablet.
Leo –
I’ve purchased this Bluesound NODE (2021 Model) Wireless Music Streamer for a single purpose: to stream music from Amazon Music HD (or alternative streaming services) to my system that already comprises a more sophisticated Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro MQA DAC, a Benchmark LA4 Line Amplifier (preamp), a McIntosh MC302 power amp, and KEF Blade speakers.
I cannot say anything about the DAC part, as I am not using it. But I can compare the performance between this steamer connected to the DAC using a high-quality coaxial cable and the Windows mini-PC connected to the same DAC via a quality insulated USB cable.
1. BluOS is one of the few operating systems on the market that supports a wide range of services, including Amazon Music HD streaming. Most proprietary systems I dealt with, including Naim, Cambridge Audio, and Roon, only support selected services, and they are neither scalable, nor futureproof, with no published support plans or commitments. That is exactly the reason I got rid of all these components.
2. BluOS in general proved rather simple and user-friendly. I had a small issue with the audio signal gaps but fixed it quickly by unchecking the Audio Clock Trim checkbox in the device Audio settings. The streamer supports all HD music streaming services of interest and can also play music from file servers on the local network (accessible via the SMB protocol; checked – it works).
3. The app is available for both Windows (what a nice surprise when you work on your laptop and can also control music streamed through the system), Android, and Chrome OS (using the Android app), and it works on all of them, which is a good thing. Most proprietary systems do not have a Windows app, or it’s very basic and stripped of most features.
4. I have not discovered any difference in the perceived quality of Hi-Res music (typically, 24-bit x 96 or 192 KHz) streamed from the Bluesound NODE (coaxial DAC input) or the mini-PC (USB DAC input), either via Amazon Music HD or from the local file server. I have even synchronized both sources and switched the DAC between these inputs multiple times while playing one and the same track. I have also discovered no noticeable difference in quality between the (Bluesound NODE + Matrix Audio X-Sabre Pro MQA DAC) combo and Naim Unity Nova, both streaming from my home file server. IMHO this means that the digital part of the streamer (which costs nothing compared to other components in my system) works quite well, and it’s definitely much easier to use for streaming than a PC. I mostly listen to acoustic jazz and classical music; cannot comment on other genres.
5. Downsides/gripes. There are some, even though I would not consider them crucial.
– DSF files (SACD format) are NOT supported (streaming from the local network server or USB device). A rather perverted patch is to convert them to FLAC, but it defeats the purpose. When I need to play a SACD image without extra digital conversions, I need to use the player on the PC.
– Amazon Music HD integration works, and it’s getting better (earlier on the app did not see/support playlists I have created in the Amazon app), but it is still limited. For example, the app doesn’t show recently played albums, the Search function is annoying, and its results are weird, etc. (The Search ALWAYS requires you to select the source – My Music or Amazon Music first, even when you select Amazon Music prior to that. If I select Amazon Music and go to My Music, i.e. my library, the Search still returns results not from my library, but from all music available on the Amazon Music platform, etc.). I haven’t tried other integrations yet…
SUMMARY: Overall I consider that at its price point the Bluesound NODE is unmatched at least as the universal, futureproof digital streamer that supports all HD music streaming services. I am fully satisfied with the quality, and 90% satisfied with the UI. (I am a rather experienced and demanding listener, with multiple HiFi systems and an extensive history of owning high quality audio devices from numerous brands).