Verdict
An piquant and entertaining streamer at a more accessible price than Bluesound has undertake in the past . With the reliable BluOS platform supporting its streaming skills , the Node Nano is a convenient and accessible streamer for those interested in draw into the globe of Hawai’i - fi .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Node Nano is part of atriple terror of fresh streamersunleashed by Bluesound , put up choice for whatever hi - fi set - up you want to create .
The Node Nano is aimed at the crushed remnant of the market , a simpler cyclosis solution for those getting into hi - fi for the first clip , or those without the high-pitched - level requisite more expensive streamers land to the securities industry .
Given how popular cyclosis has become in the home plate , Bluesound is not alone in offering an entry - level pennon , but give its expertise in all matter regarding streaming , it could be the one that offers the good solution .
Design
Small , discreet , and classy are the words I ’d employ to describe the Node Nano . Cheaper music streamers often have the flavor of part over aesthetical but there ’s a silkiness about the Node Nano that makes it experience as if you ’ve purchase a insurance premium mathematical product .
That ’s heighten by the backlit touch screen on the front . Unlike the Node Icon , this is n’t propinquity activate when you draw close – it ’s always on – and features clitoris for volume up and down , playback , as well as playback and the storage allocation of two programmable presets . Tap and you ’ll receive an instant response .
The Node Nano is a unproblematic equipment to expend and offers relatively bare connectivity . You get stereo RCA ( for lift up to an amplifier ) , coaxial , opthalmic , and Ethernet / LAN , an IR input and initiation output . The USB - C is for power and nothing more .
The size of the pennon means you could easily slot it into your existing Hawai’i - fi curing - up without issue , but it ’s more likely for people living in smaller place looking to create a scheme and need something unobtrusive . If that ’s what you ’re after , the Node Nano ticktock that box .
Features
The Bluesound Node Nano features the well - regard ESS ES9039Q2 M Sabre DAC , which supports audio recording up to 24 - bit/192kHz . Powering the show is a Quad - nub 1.8GHz ARM Cortex A53 processor .
In terms of how you get audio to the Node Nano , the main method is through the BluOS app , but there ’s alsoSpotify Connect , Tidal Connect , andApple AirPlay 2(for iOS devices ) . There ’s no acknowledgment of Google Cast , which feel like a minor omission and judging by the specs , none of Bluesound ’s of late announced features support it .
Wi - Fi ( obviously ) and Bluetooth 5.2 are include , the latter up to aptX Adaptive streams . The Node Nano has the ability to do two - way Bluetooth ( both transmit and receive a connexion ) but that ’s coming in a future update .
The BluOS app is available across many twist such as thePSB Alpha IQ , and it is a relatively uncomplicated and sluttish app to use that offers a decent arcdegree of customisation from adjusting the output mode ( maybe you prefer mono ) to chant controls ( bass voice and three-fold ) ; setting up IR remote , presets , volumes limits , set alarm clock , make a list of preferent tracks , as well as make a multi - way set - up with other BluOS compatible products .
you’re able to of course of instruction control music through the app – Tidal , Amazon Music , Deezer , andQobuzto name but four – and visually it ’s striking and easily readable with its white font on a pitch-dark background . Most importantly , it ’s fast and responsive to use . Given Sonos ’ hassle with its app in 2024 , its give BluOS an opened finish to smash the egg into .
There ’s Room Ready support for those in that ecosystem , and for smart dwelling ascendency there ’s Creston , RTI , ELAN , URC , Lutron and Control4 compatibility to consider . Amazon Alexa and Siri voice integrating are embrace digital assistants on the BluOS political program .
single file bread and butter include MP3 , AAC , WMA , WMA - L , OGG , ALAC , and OPUS ; while Hi - res formats cover FLAC , MQA , WAV , AIFF , and MPEG-4 SLS . DSD256 will be supported in a next update .
Performance
partner with aCambridge Audio CXA61amplifier andQ Acoustics 3010ispeakers , the Node Nano place the type of carrying into action you ’d look from a Bluesound cyclosis product , which is a expert sense of Libra , clearness and detail .
The levels of item and clearness , as well as tone , will potentially differ depending on your Seth - up . I find the combination Cambridge and Q Acoustics skews to a slightly warm profile but regardless , the levels of vigor in recording prove to be consistently good take heed through the Node Nano . Music rises and hang with a good sense of agility , and there ’s Department of Energy behind the sound as well , give some force to the dandy of the orchestra in Benjamin Walfisch ’s score for Alien : Romulus .
Highs are exonerated and well - limit , and there ’s good astuteness and biff lend oneself to the scummy absolute frequency in a track such as Takuya Kuroda ’s Everybody enjoy The Sunshine – vocals have effective clearness and theatrical role to them , though arguably sound a small liquid . TheWiiM Prois an enjoyable footling streamer but can vocalize a little clinical , while theAudio Pro Link2sounds affectionate but lack detail . With the Node Nano there ’s a realism to the tone of pawn and voices that ’s a small above those contend streamers .
Like the WiiM , there is a fluency to its performance that arguably robs it of some more detail and definition , and an shot of acuteness to its sound would be welcome . However , what ’s presented here for the monetary value is enjoyable enough , and ensures that the Node Nano is coherent with whatever you send to it .
Having listened to the halfway - of - the - range Node , there ’s an uptick in clarity , definition and detail across the frequency chain – the stereo icon has more of a defined presence , and the settlement the Node crack is a clear step up over the Node Nano .
The Node Nano makes sense for those look to get into streaming hi - fi at an affordable price , but for more experient hi - fi owner , the Node is there to provide a more audiophile experience .
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Should you buy it?
The Leontyne Price make water it vindicated this is a streamer for those who either desire a simple experience or are looking to pace into the world of hi - fi . It ’s a good scene for that type of marketplace .
The Bluesound Node is a more expensive option , while the Cambridge Audio MNX10 is slimly less pricey and offer brilliant value for money .
Final Thoughts
The Node Nano bring Bluesound ’s streaming devices down to a more approachable damage , and while it ’s not as feature - packed as some of its other offer , for those after a simple , hi - fi streaming product , this represents a solid choice .
The sound it give to is an piquant and balanced one , and the streaming options that the BluOS political platform offers is wide-eyed . File livelihood is strong and the designing is discreet and smart . For those who want a more audiophile experience , the step - up Node is available . If not , the Node Nano is a convenient and approachable pennant that should hold no concern for those making their first steps into the domain of how-do-you-do - fi .
Trusted Score
How we test
We screen every euphony streamer we review thoroughly over an drawn-out period of time . We use industry - stock tests to liken characteristic by rights . We ’ll always tell you what we find . We never , ever , bear money to review a intersection .
ascertain out more about how we examine in ourethics policy .
FAQs
As far as we can recite , there ’s no reference of Google Cast compatibility for the Node Nano .
