89%
Bluesound NODE (2021)
- Connect to any existing stereo amplifier, AV receiver, or powered audio system.
- Powered by state of the art Quad-Core 1.8GHz ARM® Cortex™ A53 processor and a 32-bit/384khz premium DAC design.
- HDMI eARC connectivity, digital, optical and analog input/output options, with wired and wireless headphone and subwoofer outputs.
- Hi-res audio streaming with access to Internet radio stations, cloud music services, and your own local music library.
- DSD playback
- Dual band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and support for 2-way Bluetooth aptX™ HD Bluetooth ensures music playback without interruption.
- Create and control a seamless multi-room system with the intuitive BluOS Controller app.
- Top panel touch controls with presets.
- IR input and remote learning capability – Control it with the optional Bluesound RC1 Remote Controller.
- Connect with the BluVoice skill in the Alexa app and use Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant to control Players around the home.
- AirPlay 2 lets you play music or podcasts from wireless stereo components throughout your house — all in sync.
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Feature-packed streamer that punches above its price
The Bluesound NODE (2021) is a compact, connectivity-first streamer that pairs a musical, rhythm-forward sound with a deep feature set. Reviewers such as Gordon Brockhouse and Mark Gusew highlight BluOS, HDMI eARC, AirPlay 2, Roon Ready and two-way aptX HD as practical strengths. Sonically the Node leans toward a warm, mid-centric presentation with tight bass and good low-end control—especially when using the BluOS subwoofer filters—and engaging timing and dynamics that make rhythm-heavy tracks compelling. Built with a neat matte finish and a proximity touch-top with five presets, it suits legacy hi-fi upgrades, powered speakers or multiroom systems. For those seeking broad capability and excellent value, the Node is a persuasive choice; reviewers like What Hi‑Fi? praise its balance of features and musicality.
Pros
- Comprehensive connectivity and ecosystem (BluOS, HDMI eARC, AirPlay 2, two-way aptX HD, Roon Ready) that integrates easily with modern AV and multiroom setups.
- Musical, rhythm-forward sound with refined midrange clarity and useful subwoofer integration—delivers more performance than its price implies.
- Flexible use as both a capable onboard DAC and as a digital transport to feed higher-end DACs, providing an easy upgrade path.
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Cons
- Not as holographic or spacious as reference-class streamers—front-to-back layering can be compressed on dense orchestral or very complex mixes.
- No supplied physical remote, which some users view as a minor convenience omission for living-room setups.
Digital Performance
89/100
The 2021 Node sports an upgraded 32-bit/384kHz DAC and improved processing (ARM Cortex) that reviewers credit with notably improved conversion and low noise (spec SNR -113dB, THD+N 0.002%). SoundStage Solo and StereoNET observed strong performance both as a DAC and as a transport to an external DAC, though a few reviewers noted slight edge/steely tendencies at the top end on certain tracks.
Sound Quality
86/100
Several reviews note good spatial performance — StereoNET and Audiophilepure describe an expansive, vivid soundstage with clear depth and instrument placement — but some comparisons (SoundStage Solo vs NAD) found the Node a bit more homogenized with slightly less space around instruments on very dense mixes. Overall imaging is strong for the price but not reference-class holography.
Build Quality
84/100
The Node is compact and well finished with useful top-panel touch controls and proximity sensing; reviewers call the hardware 'built to a budget' but solid for its category. It lacks the heavy chassis and isolation of higher-end components (no large toroidal transformer or heavy transport mass), but fit-and-finish, ergonomics and modern connectivity are well executed.
Features Connectivity
95/100
Feature-rich for a streamer: BluOS OS, Roon Ready (+2), AirPlay 2, Spotify/Tidal/Tidal Connect, HDMI eARC, two-way aptX HD Bluetooth, USB for external drives, coax/optical/USB digital outputs, variable/fixed RCA outputs (preamp functionality), subwoofer out and app/voice-control integration. Reviews explicitly highlight the HDMI eARC, two-way Bluetooth, Roon Ready status and the upgraded DAC and digital I/O as major practical strengths for system integration.
Value for Money
90/100
Across outlets reviewers call the Node excellent value at its price (cited at $549/£549), with SoundStage Solo calling it 'amazing sound quality for its modest asking price' and multiple reviewers saying it 'overachieves' or 'delivers thrill beyond most people's expectations'. Sentiment is clearly that it justifies its price within its competitive class.
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