Bluesound Node Icon Review
The streamer Bluesound Node is a HiFi evergreen. Now, the manufacturer has given it a big brother for the first time. Can the Node Icon also compete in the class above $1,000?
by Julian
Something affordable, a good step-up model, and an all-surpassing flagship. That’s not exactly an unusual product lineup. Nevertheless, we were somewhat surprised when Bluesound introduced exactly such a trio of streamers last year. Because in addition to the ever-present streaming platform BluOS, the company—which, like NAD, is part of the Canadian group Lenbrook—had so far mainly focused on the further development of the Node, which now represents the middle model in the streamer lineup. With soundbars, smart speakers, streaming amps, and music servers, quite a lot has indeed been built around the Node in recent years, but until now, there wasn’t such a large selection of network players.
After the new Node and the Node Nano as entry-level models appeared relatively quickly and came to us for testing, we had to wait a bit longer for the Node Icon, the new flagship from Bluesound. But now the time has finally come, and we can take a closer look at what Bluesound’s new top class can do. It’s hard to say which of the trio we were most looking forward to. On one hand, it’s always nice to follow the continuous development of an already good device, like the regular Node.
Thanks to a DAC upgrade, the N132 (2024 Node) is indeed a significant sonic improvement over its predecessor N130 (2021). On the other hand, the Node Nano was extremely interesting insofar as it still offers the brand’s streaming system at a lower price, making it easier to expand a BluOS setup or serves as a good entry-level device on its own.
And at the other end of the spectrum, customers who wanted a significant sonic upgrade over the Node had to leave Bluesound. This gap is now filled by the Node Icon, which visually enhances Bluesound’s previously simple design with a chic display. Admittedly, with a suggested retail price, it’s not that expensive for a flagship in the HiFi cosmos—so we’ll refrain from comparisons with high-end brands dedicated to ultimate sound.
Thoroughly Bluesound
Despite the slightly new look, the Icon is clearly recognizable as a Bluesound product—also thanks to the control panel known from several Nodes, which sits on its top. Through it, the Icon can be controlled identically to its smaller siblings. Play/Pause, volume, presets—the most important control elements are there, and Bluesound fans will feel right at home. But that’s all there is on the topic of “on-device control,” since the high-resolution and, considering the compact dimensions, relatively large screen is not a touchscreen.
Thus, it functions “only” as a chic display for album covers, info, or time. But even touchscreens on comparable devices that offer many functions are usually in such a view. So the Bluesound screen definitely offers the most important function in practice. By the way, through a small detour, you can also select sources directly on the Node. Because the five presets that can be assigned in the app can also include sources, so a press on the touch panel, which elegantly lights up thanks to a proximity sensor, is enough to switch the input.
Like the panel, the BluOS app is also part of the Node Icon, which, as usual, takes care of streaming, multi-room, and settings. The latter also include simple and practical sound settings (treble/bass). From the initial setup to creating playlists or browsing a streaming service to setting up a sleep timer, the application offers many options—and works smoothly and reliably. Added to this is a truly vast selection of integrable streaming services (Amazon Music, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Napster, various internet radios, home servers …), making the app a big name in the HiFi streaming cosmos for quite some time. There is also an application for computers; some settings can also be made directly via a browser.
The fact that the app is very good is also very practical because Bluesound doesn’t include a remote control even with their biggest streamer. And even though the company’s optionally available “RC1” is good in itself, we find the $75 for it a bit much. But since the BluOS app also offers the option to learn any IR remote controls and, as mentioned, the program works great, this “on paper” disadvantage is usually more than tolerable in practice.
New in DAC and Headphones
Looking at some of the innovations, it seems Bluesound is somewhat targeting headphone fans as a customer group. After the headphone output on the regular Node was long more of a—granted practical—addition, the newest representative of the series has been given a better headphone amp and a matching 6.35 mm output, which also in our test surpassed its predecessor. And the Node Icon of course goes a step further and carries two headphone jacks at once. Like on the Node, a “THX AAA” amp sits behind them, which is said to offer high linearity and low distortion. In our test, it also performed well sonically, sounding powerful, precise, and pleasing with a Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro MKII, for example. It also delivers plenty of power and does not suffer at all when two listeners are connected simultaneously. For wireless sound, the Node Icon can also send audio to a headphone via Bluetooth.
The biggest update of the 2024 Node over its predecessor was the sonic upgrade—which we primarily attributed on the data sheet to the new D/A converter chip, an ES9039Q2M from ESS. More than pleasing: The Node Icon uses two of these chips and thus converts the digital signal separately for each channel. In the measurement lab, where the Icon generally convinced us with very low noise, we also found very good channel equality. Accordingly, the Icon can also output its signal symmetrically via XLR.
Of course, classic, unbalanced RCA outputs are also available, as well as digital connections. Specifically, inputs in HDMI with eARC for TVs, USB-C for computers, and optical for CD drives or old TVs. This is a small but very welcome change compared to the regular Node—because it has long used a 3.5 mm combo jack for analog and digital optical signals, including an adapter for the latter. For devices with little space, this is a smart solution, but it does have limitations that the Icon circumvents.
Those who use an external converter can connect the new streamer from Bluesound optically, coaxially, or via USB to it; a subwoofer output with adjustable crossover frequency in the app is also part of the package. The in-house Pulse Sub+ can even be connected wirelessly. In addition to trigger sockets, there is also another USB connection on the back, this time for USB sticks or hard drives. The music stored on them can be played by the Node Icon as usual and also streamed to BluOS devices grouped with it in “server mode.”
By the way, the Node can also do that with wired sources: It streams the signal of a device connected via RCA, HDMI, optical, or USB to other grouped Bluesound players. An easy way to listen to the TV or turntable (assuming a phono preamp) in another room. In practice, we like this feature very much.
Streaming Directly into the Network
If the optional “AV Synchronization” and signal compression for better latency are activated, we notice almost no delay between playback directly on the system or via the network detour. With USB-C, it seemed to work a bit better than with the other inputs, but we are deep in the millisecond range here. As recommended by Bluesound, we would also advise using AV sync only for TV/video transmission. Because in our tests, there were sometimes very small stutters in playback—the downside of the aforementioned very fast synchronization.
For example, in a news broadcast, this hardly disrupts the flow of speech, but it does with music. However, if the mode is deactivated, these disruptions do not occur; we get completely smooth music playback. And even then, the delay (setup: turntable, phono preamp, Node Icon, network, Node, amplifier, speakers) between placing the needle and the music sounding is extremely short, under a second. That’s really very good, in our tests slightly faster than the very similar function of the competition from WiiM and without any real loss of sound quality.
By the way, multi-room and connecting multiple players works not only with other Bluesound streamers, even if that’s their main area of use. BluOS is also available in devices from sister company NAD as well as in the streaming boxes of long-time distribution partner DALI—and in streaming devices from Cyrus, Roksan, and Monitor Audio. The latter, as well as the segment Bluesound Professional, which is detached from the HiFi business, aim (in part) at professional and custom installation applications of BluOS. This may not necessarily be decisive for HiFi fans, but the sound reinforcement of a restaurant or retail store is certainly a very practical application area for multi-room playback.
Those who want multi-room without BluOS will also be pleased with the quasi-obligatory support of Roon and AirPlay in the Node Icon—only Google Cast is unfortunately missing, as we are used to from Bluesound. Music streaming is also available via Spotify and Tidal Connect as well as Bluetooth.
Bluesound also offers integration into many common home automation systems, as well as an Amazon Alexa skill if you want to control the Icon by voice from outside.
Optional Room Correction
Back to special features, because the Icon (and the new Node) has received digital room correction. Bluesound, or Lenbrook as the parent company, relies on the well-known and powerful software Dirac Live, just like with NAD, which is also supposed to be rolled out to the previous generation of Node and Powernode later.
A small damper: As is often the case with Dirac, the license for the program must be purchased separately. “Limited”, which allows the bass as the frequency range most affected by room influences to be adjusted, costs $159; the full version for the full frequency range costs $249. You also need a measurement microphone; Bluesound offers a set for about $55. That’s a bit unfortunate but also usual and understandable. Because the costs would otherwise have to be added to the still moderate costs of the Icon; meaning that customers who are not interested would also have to pay.
So that the sound is digitally enhanced even without room correction, Bluesound, or rather Lenbrook, has come up with something special. Because after the company recently bought MQA, there was a result of this acquisition when MQA Labs recently presented “Qrono d2a.”
The technology—in principle, sophisticated digital filters, see box—is now used for the first and so far only time in the Node Icon. We cannot say how big its share in the sonic result is; the technology is always on—as is usual for such digital filters.
Furthermore, “Qrono DSD” is also part of the new MQA technology. Quite simply, it is supposed to offer a better and as lossless as possible conversion of DSD files. Because the new Node Icon can also work with the original SACD format “Direct Stream Digital”. In addition to obligatory hi-res support up to 24-bit/192 kHz, the Node Icon is, as expected, also MQA-capable.
After Tidal removed the format from the catalog some time ago, it has lost significant distribution—but Lenbrook wants to do something about it. On the one hand, an own streaming service has been announced that is supposed to offer MQA—we are excited for more news—on the other hand, there is a bit of MQA exclusively in BluOS. Because those who listen to certain streams from Radio Paradise via the app receive them delivered in MQA.
A Sonic Firework?
Perhaps the most important question for regular Bluesound customers: Do Node owners need to upgrade immediately? The older the previous model, the greater the difference may be—but you will get a sonic upgrade even compared to the 2024 model. The Node Icon gives the entire sound more depth and room to breathe, presenting voices in particular—such as in Lankum’s dramatic “Go Dig My Grave”—authentically and embedded in the overall action.
In terms of bass power, the smaller brother is initially equal, although the Icon pulls ahead in the bass with better definition and resolution. But even compared to similarly priced streamers in the league above $1,000, it performs very well, happily playing along with more expensive devices.
Again, the depth and volume in the sound image are very positive, without ever appearing bloated. Paired with the relaxed style, this ensures emotion and goosebumps. But impulsive or complex pieces are also no problem for the Icon; the jazz version of “Fairies Wear Boots” by the cover band Jazz Sabbath retains its structure even in hectic moments—and encourages you to tap along.
In a direct comparison, a Cambridge CXN100 delivers higher precision and more foreground presence with less depth and body—it’s more a matter of taste. The Node Icon excellently strikes the balance between imposing, emotional, and suitable for long-term listening.
To answer the previous question:
Of course, you can also be more than happy with the “normal” Node; it sounds great for its price. But it’s also clear that the elegant Node Icon surpasses it sonically. Not to forget the additional connections and display. And that might also attract Bluesound skeptics to the new flagship—because the company doesn’t have to hide in the class of somewhat more expensive streamers with such a performance.
Specs
Product Information:
- Product/Price Class: Streamer / 1,000 to 2,000 Euros
- Website: bluesound.com
- Dimensions (W x H x D) / Weight: 22 x 8.4 x 19.3 cm / 2.2 kg
Sound (40% weight): Very good, 8.5/10
- Sound Quality: Voluminous and airy, yet engaging and quick
Measurements (10% weight): Very good, 8.7/10
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Digital Zero in dB): Very good (113 dB)
- Output Voltage (in Volts): Very good (Cinch 1.82 V / XLR 3.65 V)
- Output Impedance (in Ohms): Good (Cinch 155 Ω / XLR 270 Ω)
- Distortion at -9dBFS (in %): Very good (0.001%)
- FFT Spectrum: Very good
- Idle Power Consumption (in Watts): Good (11 W)
Features (25% weight): Very good, 8.5/10
- Digital Inputs & Outputs: Optical, USB-C, HDMI eARC In; optical, coaxial, subwoofer out; analog in
- Switchable Digital Filter: Yes
- Outputs: Cinch, XLR
- Variable Output: Yes
- Headphone Output: Yes, 2 x 6.35 mm
- Music Formats Supported: Many, including Hi-Res 24/192, DSD256, MQA
- Build Quality & Feel: Good
- Streaming Standards: Airplay, Spotify/Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, Network server access, Internet radio, Streaming services in the app
- USB Storage: Yes
- Hard Power Switch: No
Handling (25% weight): Satisfactory, 7.4/10
- Remote Control Quality: None included, can be paired
- Manual Quality: Good
- Device Operation / Display & Screen: Good
- App Quality: Very good
Verdict
When you purchase through links on our site, I may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Bluesound NODE ICON
Nothing less than the most sophisticated Bluesound Node yet built, the ICON is here to make a statement. But does the ...
Bluesound NODE ICON Review: Hi-Fi Streaming Powerhouse Under $1K | Moon Audio
READ MORE* ...
Bluesound Node N132 Review
Founded in July 2014, 7Review is a free audio resource for beginners, and we're dedicated to helping you create the ultimate movie-watching experience right at home. We pull insights from top audio magazines and trusted industry sources to bring you well-researched, reliable reviews and tips. Whether you're a home cinema pro or just starting out, we aim to give you the info you need to make the best choices for your setup.
