Bluesound Node Icon Streamer

Here we have a Node Icon wireless music streamer from Bluesound. This compact unit will simply connect to any amplifier with analogue RCA or balanced XLR inputs to provide hi-res streaming from all the popular services. Our unit is in very good condition being supplied professionally packaged along with manual, mains cable, ethernet cable and our usual three month warranty.
Bluesound Say….
The Node Icon is a flagship wireless music streamer, designed for the audio obsessed. With its sleek aluminum chassis, and vibrant 5” full-colour display, it sets a new benchmark for wireless music streamers. Seamlessly connect it to any premium amplifier, powered speakers, or headphones, and enjoy BluOS hi-res streaming, Apple AirPlay 2, THX AAA™ technology, and more. HDMI eARC, Dolby Digital, and Dirac Live ensure an immersive audio experience for music and TV.
The Node Icon redefines HiFi listening with its expertly crafted Dual-Mono DAC design. Featuring two cutting-edge ESS SABRE ES9039Q2M DACs and transparent circuitry, it delivers sound with unparalleled dynamic range, ultra-low distortion, and exceptional resolution. MQA Labs’ groundbreaking QRONO d2a technology further refines DAC performance by correcting timing errors during digital-to-analogue conversion, ensuring the timing response aligns perfectly with the original recording for an authentic listening experience.
With a bold industrial design for the next generation of HiFi, the Node Icon features a high-quality aluminum chassis, balanced XLR outputs, and a beautiful 5” full-colour HD display. Its sleek gloss black finish integrates seamlessly into any setup, while audiophile-grade connections ensure superior performance. Supporting DSD playback, it features the latest ES9826 SABRE ADC, delivering true-to-source analogue audio with minimal noise or distortion.
Stream all the music ever recorded with the Node Icon, from popular streaming services to your personal digital libraries, all accessible through the BluOS app. With built-in Apple AirPlay 2 and aptX™ Adaptive Bluetooth*, enjoy more music from even more apps and services. HDMI eARC lets you connect seamlessly to your TV, bringing hi-res music streaming into your movie and gaming experiences, all with just a single cable.
The Node Icon can wirelessly connect to Bluesound speakers and stereo components to create a multi-room music system connected by BluOS™ throughout your whole home. With dual-band Wi-Fi for dropout free listening, you can play your new favourite track everywhere or listen to different music and genres in different rooms with total control from your phone, tablet, or desktop.
Lifelike headphone listening is made possible by THX AAA™ technology, the headphone amplifier that boasts the world’s most linear response. Its patented feed-forward error correction results in remarkably low noise and distortion, revealing exceptional soundstage and clarity. Connect your high-performance headphones to the left or right full-sized 1/4″ headphone jacks and enjoy audiophile listening without fuss or compromise.
The Node Icon comes ready to intelligently fight bad room acoustics with Dirac Live, available as an upgrade directly from Dirac. Use Dirac’s app to measure your room acoustics and eliminate standing waves, reverberations, and other unwanted distortions. The result is clear, balanced, and detailed sound for your music and movie soundtracks. A calibration kit with a high-sensitivity microphone is also required and available from Bluesound with additional purchase.
Features:
Dual-mono DAC design with 2 x ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M DAC
THX AAA™ headphone amplifier technology with 2 x 1/4″ jacks for cable management
High-quality balanced XLR outputs
HDMI eARC, optical, analogue and USB-C inputs
RCA, coax, optical, USB outputs
Apple AirPlay 2 and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth*
Dirac Live Ready
Beautiful 5” full-colour HD display and backlit touch panel with presets and controls
Specifications:
Audio:
Supported Audio File Formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, WMA-L, OGG, OPUS
Supported High-Quality Audio File Formats: FLAC, MQA, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4 SLS
DSD Support: DSD256
Supported Multi-Channel Audio Formats: Dolby Digital®
Native Sampling Rates: up to 192 kHz
Bit Depth: 16-24
Audio Controls & EQ: BluOS Controller App
DAC: ESS ES9039Q2M x2
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: XLR: – 129 dB, RCA: – 121 dB
Distortion: THD+N, 0,0004%
Headphone Continuous Output Power (THD < 0.1%): 160 mW, 16 Ω / 235 mW, 32 Ω / 56 mW, 250 Ω / 23 mW, 600 Ω
Software & Integrations:
Operating System: BluOS
App Controller Operating System: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Processor: ARM® Cortex™ -A53, Quad-Core, 1.8GHz per core
Supported Network File Sharing: Server Message Block (SMB) up to 200,000 files
Album Art Supported: JPG, PNG
Music Services & Internet Radio: 23+
3rd-Party Integrations: AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, Dirac Live Ready
Control System Integrations: Crestron, Control4, RTI, ELAN, URC, Lutron
Voice Control Integrations: Amazon Alexa Skills
Connections:
Power Supply: Universal bi-pin AC cord input (100-240 AC)
Ethernet/LAN: Ethernet RJ45, Gigabit 1000 Mbps
Wi-Fi Built In: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band
Bluetooth Quality: Bluetooth 5.2 aptX Adaptive
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: TOSlink Optical, RCA Analogue
HDMI Input: HDMI eARC
USB IN: Type A (Fat32 Formatted) – External Storage only; Local Server Mode
USB (other): USB Type C (PC input)
Audio Output: Analog RCA Stereo with Fixed option; Balanced XLR Stereo with Fixed option; USB Audio 2.0 (Type A)
Coaxial Output: RCA
Optical Output: TOSlink digital optical
Trigger Out: 12 Volt
Headphone Output: 6.3 mm Stereo x2; Bluetooth
Subwoofer Output: RCA x 1; Wireless to PULSE SUB+
General:
Finish: Black: Anodized Aluminum
Dimensions: 220 (W) x 193 (D) x 84 (H) mm
Weight: 2.23 kg

For a review from online website “The Ear” please click HERE

For a second opinion from What Hi-Fi? magazine please click HERE