New Products

Bluesound, the sister company of Canada’s NAD and PSB specializing in wireless streaming gear, today announced the next generation of its popular Node hi-res music streamer and PowerNode streaming amplifier.

Slated to begin shipping in June and currently available for pre-order, both models have been updated with more powerful processing, including new 32-bit/384kHz digital-to-analog converters (DACs), touch controls with five presets, proximity sensors, and higher power in the case of the PowerNode amplifier.

Pricing is $549 for the Node (right in the photo) and $899 for the PowerNode, which is now rated to deliver 2 x 80 watts into 8 ohms, up from 2 x 60 watts.

In addition to supporting 24-bit/192kHz streaming via the BluOS multiroom platform and MQA.com processing, the revamped Node and PowerNode boast a new 1.8GHz ARM Cortex A53 processor, said to be eight times faster than the processor used in the current generation, dual-band Wi-Fi plus a gigabit Ethernet connection, and streaming via two-way aptX HD-enabled Bluetooth.

Both come with an infrared (IR) remote-control input and are further equipped with a new enhanced audio-return-channel (eARC)-enabled HDMI connection, optical and analog inputs, wired and wireless headphone outputs and support Apple’s AirPlay 2 streaming platform and voice control via Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. A remote handset is not included but Bluesound offers the RC1 ($59) is as an option.

On the output side, the Node provides stereo analog, optical, coaxial and USB Type A connections plus a 12-volt trigger.

The new touch controls located on the top of the Node and PowerNode handle play/pause, track skipping, and volume, while complementing the BluOS Controller app, which provides access to tone controls and subwoofer crossover settings as well as Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, SiriusXM, and other streaming services or your own personal music library. Both streaming devices are compatible with control systems from Crestron, Elan, RTI, Lutron, and others.

Designed for multiroom streaming, the BluOS platform supports up to 64 hi-res music players.

The Node and PowerNode will be available in black or white. For more information, visit bluesound.com.