Bluesound Node Hi-Res Music Streamer
The Node is a wireless hi-res music streamer from Bluesound (Pickering, Ontario, Canada), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Designed to add the full BluOS streaming plat form to any existing stereo amplifier, AV receiver, or powered speaker system, the Node is powered by a Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53 processor at 1.8GHz per core and a 32-bit/384kHz differential output DAC, delivering SNR of -113dBA and THD+N of 0.002% for reference-quality digital-to-analogue conversion. It streams hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz including MQA-encoded tracks, connects via HDMI eARC, dual-band Wi-Fi 5, or Gigabit Ethernet, and provides AirPlay 2, Roon Ready certification, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD alongside the full BluOS library of streaming services. Five touch-panel preset buttons, a proximity sensor, wired and wireless headphone outputs, a subwoofer RCA output with wireless Pulse Sub+ pairing, a 12V trigger, and a USB Type-A port for local library playback make the Node one of the most fully specified music streamers at its price point. Browse the complete Bluesound collection at Vinyl Sound Toronto, including the Node Icon and POWERNODE, with in-store demonstrations available at our Richmond Hill, Ontario showroom. 32-Bit/384kHz DAC and High-Performance Audio Architecture The Node's DAC section centres on a 32-bit/384kHz differential output design that delivers a signal-to-noise ratio of -113dBA and THD+N of 0.002% — specifications that comfortably exceed the performance of the DAC sections built into most integrated amplifiers and AV receivers the Node is likely to be paired with. Native sampling rates up to 192kHz are supported across FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, and MPEG-4 SLS lossless formats, with MQA decoding performed internally for full Tidal Masters fidelity. The Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53 processor running at 1.8GHz per core manages streaming, decoding, and network communication with sufficient headroom for stable, skip-free playback at all supported resolutions. Analogue output is available via fixed or variable stereo RCA, with variable mode enabling the Node to function as a digital preamplifier connected directly to a power amplifier or active speakers. Digital outputs span coaxial S/PDIF and optical TosLink for connection to an external DAC or digital amplifier input, and a USB Audio 2.0 output is available via future software update. The HDMI eARC input routes television audio — including Dolby Digital content from streaming services — through the Node's DAC and analogue outputs to a connected amplifier. BluOS Platform, Multiroom Integration, and Connectivity The Node runs BluOS, Bluesound's proprietary hi-res multiroom audio platform, with native access to Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Amazon Music HD, Deezer, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, SiriusXM, and dozens of additional streaming services and internet radio stations. AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, and Roon Ready certification cover every major third-party streaming and playback platform, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control is supported via the BluVoice skill. Two-way Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD allows the Node to receive wireless audio from smartphones and tablets, and transmit wirelessly to Bluetooth headphones for private listening. A wired 3.5mm headphone output on the front panel provides direct headphone connection, and a subwoofer RCA output connects to a wired subwoofer or pairs wirelessly with the Bluesound Pulse Sub+ over the BluOS network. A USB Type-A port on the rear accepts FAT32 and NTFS-formatted drives carrying a personal music library of up to 200,000 tracks via SMB network file sharing. Five touch-panel preset buttons on the top panel with a proximity sensor allow one-touch access to favourite stations or playlists, and the built-in IR sensor with remote learning supports optional control via the Bluesound RC1 Remote Controller. For professional smart home installation, full-feature control drivers are available for Control4, Crestron, RTI, ELAN, and Lutron. Key Features 32-Bit/384kHz Differential Output DAC: Reference-quality DAC design delivering SNR of -113dBA and THD+N of 0.002% — exceeding the performance of most amplifier-integrated DAC sections and optimised for hi-res playback up to 24-bit/192kHz. Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53 Processor at 1.8GHz per Core: Sufficient processing headroom for stable, skip-free hi-res streaming, MQA decoding, and BluOS multiroom synchronization across all supported formats. MQA Full Decoding: Internal MQA decoding for full Tidal Masters fidelity, with the option to pass MQA to an external certified MQA DAC via the digital outputs. HDMI eARC Input: Direct television connection routing TV audio through the Node's DAC and analogue outputs to a connected amplifier — one cable replaces a separate DAC for television listening. BluOS Multiroom Platform: Native integration with Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Amazon Music HD, Deezer, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, SiriusXM, and dozens more, with whole-home synchronization across all Bluesound and BluOS players. Roon Ready: Certified Roon endpoint — appears as a playback zone in a Roon system, supporting all Roon audio formats up to 24-bit/192kHz. AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect: Full native integration with all three platforms for direct app-based playback control without launching the BluOS app. Two-Way Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD: Receive wireless audio from smartphones and tablets at up to 24-bit/48kHz; transmit wirelessly to Bluetooth headphones for private listening. Fixed and Variable Analogue RCA Output: Variable mode activates the digital volume control for direct connection to a power amplifier or active speakers as a standalone digital preamplifier. Wired and Wireless Headphone Outputs: Front-panel 3.5mm stereo headphone jack for wired listening, plus Bluetooth transmit mode for wireless headphone connection. Subwoofer RCA Output with Pulse Sub+ Wireless Pairing: Wired RCA subwoofer output plus wireless network pairing with the Bluesound Pulse Sub+ for a cable-free 2.1 system. Five Touch Preset Buttons with Proximity Sensor: One-touch access to favourite stations or playlists via the top-panel touch controls, which illuminate automatically on approach via the built-in proximity sensor. USB Type-A for Local Library Playback: Accepts FAT32 and NTFS-formatted drives carrying a personal music library of up to 200,000 tracks via SMB network file sharing. 12V Trigger Output: Automated amplifier power management in compatible system installations. Voice Control: Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility for hands-free playback control throughout the home. Technical Specifications General Description Wireless Hi-Res Music Streamer DAC 32-bit / 384kHz differential output design Signal-to-Noise Ratio -113dBA THD+N 0.002% Max. Native Sampling Rate 192kHz Bit Depth 16 to 24-bit Processor Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53, 1.8GHz per core Supported Hi-Res Formats FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4 SLS Supported Standard Formats MP3, AAC, WMA, WMA-L, OGG, ALAC, OPUS Streaming Services Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Amazon Music HD, Deezer, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, SiriusXM and more Third-Party Integration AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready Network Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac, 2.4/5GHz dual-band), Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45 1000 Mbps) Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0 — aptX HD (two-way: receive and transmit) Audio Inputs 1x Mini TosLink / 3.5mm stereo combo, 1x HDMI eARC Analogue Output Stereo RCA (fixed or variable) Digital Outputs Coaxial S/PDIF (RCA), Optical TosLink, USB Audio 2.0 (future update) Headphone Outputs 3.5mm stereo (wired), Bluetooth transmit (wireless) Subwoofer Output RCA (wired), wireless network pairing to Pulse Sub+ USB Type-A (FAT32 or NTFS, up to 200,000 tracks via SMB) Trigger 12V Trigger Out IR Built-in IR sensor with remote learning, 3.5mm IR input Touch Controls Play/Pause, Volume slider, Previous/Next Track, 5x Preset buttons, proximity sensor Voice Control Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant Control Systems Control4, Crestron, URC, RTI, ELAN, Lutron Operating System BluOS Finish Black / White (matte satin paint) Dimensions (W x H x D) 220 x 46 x 146mm (8.7 x 1.8 x 5.7 inches) Net Weight 1.09kg (2.4 lbs) Power Requirements 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz (universal) Origin Canada (Lenbrook Group, Pickering, Ontario) Connections at a Glance Inputs: HDMI eARC, Mini TosLink / 3.5mm analogue combo, USB Type-A, Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45), Wi-Fi 5 dual-band, Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD (receive) Analogue Output: Stereo RCA (fixed or variable) Digital Outputs: Coaxial S/PDIF (RCA), Optical TosLink, USB Audio 2.0 (future update) Headphone: 3.5mm stereo (front panel), Bluetooth transmit (wireless) Subwoofer: RCA out, wireless Pulse Sub+ pairing Other: 12V Trigger Out, 3.5mm IR input, built-in IR sensor What's in the Box Bluesound Node Wireless Hi-Res Music Streamer 120V AC Power Cord 230V AC Power Cord Ethernet Cable Stereo RCA to RCA Cable TosLink Optical to 3.5mm Mini Adapter Quick Setup Guide Safety and Warranty Guide Frequently Asked Questions What is the Bluesound Node? The Bluesound Node is a wireless hi-res music streamer from Bluesound (Pickering, Ontario, Canada), built around a 32-bit/384kHz differential output DAC with SNR of -113dBA and THD+N of 0.002%, and a Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53 processor at 1.8GHz per core. It supports hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, MQA decoding, and the full BluOS streaming platform including Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Amazon Music HD, AirPlay 2, Roon Ready, Tidal Connect, and Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD, with HDMI eARC, wired and wireless headphone outputs, and subwoofer integration. How does the Bluesound Node compare to the Node Icon? The Node Icon is Bluesound's flagship streamer and steps up from the Node with a dual-mono DAC design using two ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M chips for greater channel separation, THX AAA headphone amplifier technology with two 6.35mm headphone jacks, balanced XLR analogue outputs, a 5-inch full-colour HD display, aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, QRONO d2a timing correction, and Dirac Live room correction support. The Node uses a single 32-bit/384kHz DAC, produces a strong -113dBA SNR and 0.002% THD+N, and provides unbalanced RCA outputs, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and the same BluOS streaming platform. The Node is the right choice for listeners who want Bluesound's streaming platform and DAC quality at a more accessible price; the Node Icon suits those who need balanced outputs, THX headphone amplification, or Dirac Live. Can the Bluesound Node work as a digital preamplifier? Yes. Setting the Node's analogue RCA outputs to variable mode activates the digital volume control, allowing direct connection to a power amplifier or a pair of active speakers without a separate preamplifier. The Node's remote learning capability and touch-panel volume slider make level control straightforward in this configuration. Is the Bluesound Node Roon Ready? Yes. The Node is a certified Roon Ready endpoint and appears as a playback zone in a Roon system, supporting all Roon audio formats up to 24-bit/192kHz. Roon Core must run on a separate dedicated device — a Roon Nucleus, NAS, or compatible computer — on the same network as the Node. How does the Bluesound Node compare to the WiiM Pro Plus? The Bluesound Node and WiiM Pro Plus are both well-regarded mid-range music streamers. The Node offers a significantly more advanced DAC — 32-bit/384kHz differential output at -113dBA SNR and 0.002% THD+N — versus the WiiM Pro Plus's more modest DAC section, and adds HDMI eARC input, two-way Bluetooth aptX HD with wireless headphone transmit, wired and wireless subwoofer output, a 12V trigger, and five preset buttons with proximity sensor. The WiiM Pro Plus offers Dirac Live room correction (licence included) and a lower price point. Both support AirPlay 2, Roon endpoint, and major streaming services. The Node is the stronger choice for audio quality and connectivity breadth; the WiiM Pro Plus leads on room correction value. Can I connect the Bluesound Node to my television? Yes. The Node's HDMI eARC input connects to the eARC-compatible HDMI port on a television, routing all TV audio through the Node's 32-bit/384kHz DAC and analogue RCA outputs to a connected integrated amplifier or preamplifier. This allows the Node to serve as the audio hub for both a dedicated hi-fi system and television listening from a single compact component. Where can I buy the Bluesound Node in Toronto, Canada? The Bluesound Node is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. As an authorized Bluesound dealer, Vinyl Sound serves audiophiles across the Greater Toronto Area and Canada. Shop online at vinylsound.ca or visit our Richmond Hill showroom to compare the Node alongside the complete Bluesound music streamer range at Vinyl Sound Toronto, including the Node Icon, NODE Nano, and POWERNODE.
