Bluesound NODE
The Bluesound NODE brings controlled, detailed streaming to stereo and TV systems, pairing a composed, easygoing presentation with BluOS flexibility, HDMI eARC and a capable THX headphone stage. SoundStage Solo found optional Dirac Live room correction especially transformative, sharpening bass definition, imaging and dialogue. It is a compact, richly connected hub for musical everyday listening.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
89/100
Build Quality
85/100
Features Usability
93/100
Value for Money
94/100
Pros
Controlled, balanced sound with pleasing textural detail and an easygoing, well-organised presentation.
Dirac Live can substantially improve bass definition, clarity, imaging and soundstage performance in problematic rooms.
Exceptional connectivity includes HDMI eARC, subwoofer integration, high-resolution and DSD playback, plus a capable headphone output.
BluOS is responsive and feature-rich, with broad streaming-service support and intuitive daily operation.
Cons
Its relaxed, controlled character does not match the dynamic drama or rhythmic insight of the strongest rivals.
Dirac Live requires an additional licence and calibration microphone.
No Chromecast support or front-panel display.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 89/100
Reviewers find the NODE controlled, clear and notably easy to listen to, with strong textural retrieval and a well-organised presentation. Its composure is a recurring strength, though What Hi-Fi? finds the delivery somewhat restrained rather than class-leadingly expressive, and SoundStage Solo heard further refinement from an external DAC/headphone amplifier.
Tonal Balance Musicality
89/100
HiFi Pig calls the NODE musical, detailed and tight across sources, while What Hi-Fi? praises its balanced, easygoing and even-handed sound. The latter also notes that this relaxed character can come across as restrained, so it may suit listeners prioritising calm control over maximum drama.
Resolution Detail
89/100
What Hi-Fi? heard pleasing detail and strong textural insight across genres, while Future Audiophile identified improved guitar decay, string richness and a closer sense of the master tape versus the previous NODE. SoundStage Solo found clearer effects, reduced congestion and more air around instruments when Dirac Live was engaged.
Digital Performance
88/100
HiFi Pig found the presentation well controlled, with convincing stage placement, and Future Audiophile heard worthwhile gains in detail through both the internal analog outputs and an external DAC. The onboard performance is capable and clean, although SoundStage Solo still heard slightly less grain, more nuanced piano touch and more extended decays through an outboard iFi DAC/headphone amplifier.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
The NODE combines a mature, responsive control platform with unusually broad connectivity for its size and price. BluOS is widely praised for daily use, while HDMI eARC, bidirectional Bluetooth, USB output, headphone listening, subwoofer integration, Dirac Live readiness and high-resolution format support make it flexible in both music and TV systems.
Streaming Software
92/100
What Hi-Fi? finds BluOS stable, responsive, reasonably intuitive and neatly organised. Future Audiophile goes further, calling BluOS the best streaming software/platform it has used for user experience; the NODE also supports Roon Ready, AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect and a wide range of music services.
Features Connectivity
94/100
Reviewers highlight a particularly generous set of connections: analog and digital outputs, analog/optical input, USB storage and digital output, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, bidirectional Bluetooth, a subwoofer output and 12V trigger connections. HDMI eARC is repeatedly singled out as a valuable advantage at this price, while DSD256 support, Dirac Live readiness and the THX AAA headphone output expand its practical roles; What Hi-Fi? notes the omission of Chromecast.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
85/100
HiFi Pig describes the NODE as very well built, while What Hi-Fi? finds little to fault in its compact, lightweight and pleasant physical design. The touch-capacitive top panel, smooth volume slider and preset controls add polish, although reviewers offer limited detail on long-term durability or internal construction.
Value for Money
94/100
At $549/£499, reviewers see the NODE as unusually well specified and highly competitive. SoundStage Solo calls it a fabulous value, Future Audiophile repeatedly emphasises how much functionality it delivers for $549, and What Hi-Fi? characterises it as an affordable, feature-heavy streamer, though HiFi Pig notes strong competition around the price.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- Supported Audio File Formats
- MP3, AAC, WMA, WMA-L, OGG, ALAC, OPUS
- Native Sampling Rates
- up to 192 kHz
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio
- -118 dB
- Supported High-Quality Audio File Formats
- FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4 SLS
- Bit Depth
- 16-24
- Distortion
- THD+N, 0.0007%
- DSD Support
- DSD256
- Audio Controls & EQ
- BluOS Controller App
- Headphone Continuous Output Power (THD<0.1%)
- 160mW, 16Ω230mW, 32Ω53mW, 250Ω22mW, 600Ω
- Supported Multi-Channel Audio Formats
- Dolby Digital®
- DAC
- ESS ES9039Q2M
- Dirac Live Output Support
- Analog: RCA StereoDigital: Optical, CoaxialThe USB Output does not support Dirac Live
- Operating System
- BluOS
- Supported Network File Sharing
- Server Message Block (SMB) up to 200,000 files
- 3rd-Party Integrations
- AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect (also support for Spotify Lossless), Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready, Dirac Live Ready
- App Controller Operating System
- iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
- Album Art Supported
- JPG, PNG
- Control System Integrations
- Crestron, Control4, RTI, ELAN, URC, Lutron, Josh.ai
- Processor
- ARM® Cortex™ -A53, Quad-Core, 1.8GHz per core
- Music Services & Internet Radio
- 23+Music ServicesInternet Radio
- Voice Control Integrations
- Amazon Alexa Skills
- Power Supply
- Universal bi-pin AC cord input (100-240AC)
- Optical/Analog Input
- Combo - Mini TOSLINK/Stereo 3.5mm
- Coaxial Output
- RCA
- Ethernet/LAN
- Ethernet RJ45, Gigabit 1000 Mbps
- IR Input
- 3.5mm Jack
- Optical Output
- TOSLINK digital optical
- Wi-Fi Built In
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band
- HDMI Input
- HDMI eARC
- Trigger Out
- 12 Volt
- Bluetooth Quality
- Bluetooth 5.2 aptX Adaptive
- USB IN
- Type A (Fat32 Formatted) - External Storage only; Local Server Mode
- Headphone Output
- 6.3mm Stereo; Bluetooth
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Two-Way (transmit & receive)
- Audio Output
- Analog RCA Stereo with Fixed option; USB Audio 2.0 (Type A)
- Subwoofer Output
- RCA x 1; Wireless to PULSE SUB+
- IR Optical Built In
- IR Sensor Built In - front panel with IR Remote Learning
- Status Indicator
- LED x 2
- Volume Control Buttons
- Touch Slider LED
- Proximity Sensor
- Yes
- Play/Pause Button
- Touch LED
- Preset Buttons
- Touch LED x 5
- Finish
- Black or White: Matte Satin Paint
- Product Dimensions
- 220 x 46 x 146 mm (W x H x D)8.7 x 1.8 x 5.7 in (W x H x D)**Non-metric measurements are approximate.
- Included Accessories
- • 120V AC Power Cord• 230V AC Power Cord• Stereo RCA to RCA Cable• Ethernet Cable• Mini Jack to Toslink Adapter• Safety/Warranty Guide• Quick Setup Guide• Dirac Live Ready Info Card
- Storage Environment
- -10°C to 50°C, 20% to 80% relative humidity
- Product Weight
- 1.09kg/2.4lbs
- Operating Environment
- 0°C to 40°C
- Version
- N132
Manufacturer's Description — Bluesound
Simply put, there is nothing like the NODE. With re-engineered components and circuitry for even better performance, the original wireless hi-res music streamer now features built-in THX AAA™ headphone technology, DSD playback, and more. Connect it to your stereo system and stream music, radio, podcasts, and more from popular streaming services or your personal library. With HDMI eARC, Dolby Digital decoding, and Apple AirPlay 2, the NODE is at the core of your home audio experience, with the flexibility to wirelessly connect to Bluesound Players for seamless multi-room music throughout the home.
- ESS ES9039Q2M SABRE® DAC
- THX AAA™ headphone amplifier technology with full-sized 1/4" headphone output
- RCA, optical, coaxial, and USB audio outputs
- HDMI eARC, optical, and analog audio inputs
- Room correction with Dirac Live Ready
- DSD playback
- Five programmable quick-touch presets and proximity-sensing controls
- Works with AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and TIDAL Connect
- Roon Ready
- Two-way aptX™ Adaptive* Bluetooth
- Dirac Live Room Correction ready
*Available via future software update
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Bluesound NODE
- Holt Hill — online and in-store — Andover, Massachusetts, United States (website)
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- Aalen Hifi — in-store — Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Wurtemberg, Germany (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Ahead Stereo — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- ALAIN CHOUKROUN — online and in-store — Paris, Île-de-France, France (website)
and 346 more verified dealers