New Products

Bluesound has announced that its new flagship wireless music streamer, the NODE ICON, is now available at a price of $999. According to the company, this latest model is intended to build on the success of earlier NODE streamers, introducing what it characterizes as advanced engineering, design enhancements, and new features that it says set a new standard in high-resolution audio performance.

The NODE series has long been a part of Bluesound’s offerings, with earlier versions noted by reviewers for their flexibility and integration with the BluOS multi-room platform. Bluesound is part of the Lenbrook Group, which also includes NAD Electronics and PSB Speakers, and it integrates the NODE products into a larger ecosystem of components and speakers designed for high-fidelity streaming throughout the home.

According to the company, the NODE ICON incorporates a Dual-Mono DAC architecture using two ESS SABRE ES9039Q2M DACs, a configuration that it says is tailored to deliver precise playback, low distortion, and improved dynamic range. Bluesound states that its use of MQA Labs’ QRONO d2a technology aims to further refine impulse response and transparency in the conversion process. Another feature the company highlights is a new two-channel ES9826 SABRE analog-to-digital converter, which it claims adds virtually no noise or distortion.

The NODE ICON, according to the company, is housed in an aluminum chassis, includes a 5-inch full-color display, and features a gloss black finish. Bluesound says these design elements are meant to achieve both aesthetic integration and practical durability.

Bluesound indicates that connectivity options on the NODE ICON have been expanded. According to the company, it includes balanced XLR outputs, HDMI eARC, and a full suite of other analog and digital inputs and outputs. The addition of balanced XLR connectivity positions the NODE ICON as a potential match for more upscale stereo components and studio-style gear. According to Bluesound, the product will offer future support for Dirac Live Room Correction (after a planned software update and license purchase), a well-regarded technology that measures and adjusts for room acoustics to improve overall sound quality.

The company also states that the NODE ICON employs THX AAA headphone amplifier technology and includes dual left and right ¼-inch headphone outputs, a nod to users who connect high-end headphones and value low-noise listening experiences. Users who rely on multi-room audio will find that, according to the company, the NODE ICON can seamlessly integrate into the BluOS ecosystem, which allows for wireless playback across compatible devices from Bluesound and other BluOS-enabled brands such as DALI, Monitor Audio, NAD, PSB, and Roksan.

The NODE ICON’s release comes at a time when the market for high-resolution, Wi-Fi-connected audio devices continues to expand. Some competing products focus on convenience and streaming platform support, while others emphasize DAC performance and build quality.

The NODE ICON, according to Bluesound’s positioning, aims to do both, and the company says it is a culmination of years of development in audio design. Buyers interested in the NODE ICON can find it at authorized dealers, the Bluesound website, and other retail outlets starting today, with worldwide availability confirmed by the company.