Bluesound NODE (Gen 3) Wireless Music Streamer

Editors' Choice Award - The Absolute Sound

Next Generation NODE Streaming and Multi-room Audio

The BLUESOUND NODE (Gen 3) unlocks the world of hi-res music streaming and multi-room audio to create a modern addition to existing hi-fi systems or your favorite set of powered speakers. Discover all the music ever recorded with access to hundreds of internet radio stations, dozens of streaming music services, or even your own digital music library, with a few taps of the BluOS Controller app for iOS, Android, Mac or PC computers.

Inside, the NODE features a new audiophile-grade DAC design with notably improved performance that not only supports 24-bit/192kHz audio processing, but also MQA for studio-quality listening. Powerful, user-friendly software features like tone controls and subwoofer crossover optimization allow you to customize your listening preferences in detail. It is also equipped with an array of digital and analog inputs and outputs for maximum versatility.

Award-Winning Performance

The NODE won an Editors' Choice Award from The Absolute Sound magazine, which terms it "a music server, streamer, and DAC that accesses most of the popular streaming services and Internet radio, as well as music files off hard drives and NAS drives, all sans computer, while offering full MQA unfolding and rendering (but no DSD).

"Consistent with its NAD provenance, the Node 3i sounds really, really good—so far above its size and price that it almost makes you feel you’ve stolen something. On many digital sources it often took the most concentrated and critical listening to distinguish the Node 3i from considerably higher-priced competition, even in direct A/B comparisons."

"My Most Recommended Streamer Yet"

"This is my most recommended streamer and yes, I have compared it to higher dollar streamers (up to $3k). With those more pricey options you may gain 3-5% in sound but you may just lose some of the usability and rock solid stability," observes Steve Huff at stevehuffphoto.com, April 7, 2023.

"The Bluesound Node Generation 3 is a fantastic improvement on the prior generation, the Node 2i. The Node is the easiest and quickest way to get set up with streaming and will get you streaming from your phone or tablet within 5 minutes," Huff concludes.

Packed with Connectivity

Bring music into your NODE using Wi-Fi or ethernet, Apple AirPlay 2, aptX HD Bluetooth, or USB Type A connectors, to hear audio content from streaming services, internet radio and your own music library. The NODE now features an HDMI eARC input on the back panel, to keep your setup flexible and future-friendly.

Designed to be as comfortable in a two-channel TV system or gaming console as it is in an audiophile’s dedicated listening room, the NODE provides a hi-res experience no matter where it’s used. Listen to your music through your hi-fi system or through wired or wireless headphones, by connecting to the RCA, Toslink optical, aptX HD Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack, Apple devices, or other Bluesound or BluOS enabled players.

Digital Music, Internet Radio, Podcasts, and More

From popular music streaming services to radio stations and podcasts, the NODE connects you to everything you love to listen to. Plus, with two-way aptXT™ Adaptive Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2 built in, you can enjoy music from even more apps and services, including Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, and Qobuz. Connect the NODE to digital music libraries stored on your computer or local network, and effortlessly browse and stream from your collection using the BluOS app.

Roon Ready

Roon brings all your music together, so you don’t have to worry about where it’s stored, what format it’s in, or where you stream it from. Roon supports music files stored on internal and external hard drives and NAS, your iTunes library, live radio stations, and streamed content from TIDAL and Qobuz.

Convenient Voice Control

With support for the most popular voice assistants, including Apple’s Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant, control is more convenient that ever. Every supported voice assistant gives you easy, hands-free control over the music in your home so you can pause the music when the phone rings or ask what song is playing, all with your voice.

BluVoice, which is the BluOS voice engine, controls all Bluesound Players – no matter which generation you have at home – bringing the latest tech to the speakers and systems that you love and continue to get better with every update. Set up a default room and use quick and easy voice commands to control your music using the long list of BluVoice custom commands. For example, you can use voice commands to play saved playlists, select your favorite radio station, adjust volume levels, or even group players together and play your music in perfect sync throughout the house.

Make It Your Multi-Room Hub

Bit-perfect music listening can happen away from your hi-fi system with the NODE as your multi-room hub. The award-winning BluOS platform is the only platform in the world that can support up to 64 players, all streaming in 24-bit hi-res audio. With a growing stable of brands and devices being added to the BluOS platform, the NODE opens up a world of hi-res listening options throughout your home that no other player can.

In addition to using the BluOS Controller app with your smart devices, quick access controls like play/pause, track skipping, and volume are available as touch panel controls, via voice assistants like Apple’s Siri, Amazon Alexa, or Google Voice, by programming your own IR remote or using the optional Bluesound RC1.

The intuitive touch panel control with proximity sensor now also features 5 presets. Advanced controls, including tone controls are available in the BluOS Controller app. The NODE can also be integrated into a smart home with full-feature drivers for Lutron, Elan, RTI, Crestron, and other popular home control systems.

New ARM Cortex A53 Quad-Core Chipset

Bluesound’s forward-thinking approach continues to push the performance envelope. The new NODE and POWERNODE feature a powerful ARM Cortex A53 Quad-Core chipset that processes audio eight times faster than previous generations of Bluesound architecture. Not only does this processor boast all the power and speed required for the latest and greatest hi-fi performance, but these products are also ready for whatever technologies the future may hold.

BluOS Adds Pandora and Presto Music Services

Bluesound is excited to announce the integration of the popular Pandora and Presto Music services into the BluOS platform.

Pandora offers exceptional music discovery features and curated radio stations. Its integration offers BluOS music lovers access to another seamless and intuitive way to enjoy their favorite tracks and discover new music based on listeners' tastes.

Presto Music specializes in classical and jazz recordings with high-quality content. In select markets, users can now savor Presto Music's vast collection of classical and jazz recordings. With a library boasting 200,000 albums in CD-quality and 34,000 albums in stunning 24-bit/192kHz, subscribers will revel in a focused, extensive, and continuously expanding catalog. The service is tailored with a powerful search engine designed explicitly for classical and jazz music, offering rich composers, artists, and genre profiles, recommendations, and featured releases.

To access these new services, simply update to the latest firmware and download the BluOS Controller App from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or bluos.io/downloads.

Product Features

Overview

Quad-core 1.8GHz ARM® Cortex™ A53 processor
32-bit/384kHz premium DAC design
HDMI eARC, optical & analog inputs
Stereo analog, optical, coaxial & USB audio outputs
AirPlay 2 for integration into Apple ecosystem
BluOS™ wireless multi-room music capability
MQA music and hi-res audio streaming
Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, Roon Ready
Supports the most popular voice assistants, including Apple’s Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant
Dual-band Wi-Fi + Gigabit ethernet
Two-way aptX™ HD Bluetooth
IR remote learning capability, IR input, 12V trigger output
Wired & wireless headphone output
Wired & wireless subwoofer output
Touch controls with presets
Black or white finish

Operation

Operating System: BluOS
Supported Controller Operating System: iOS, Android, Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10, macOS 10.10-10.15, 11
Supported Audio File Formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, WMA-L, OGG, ALAC, OPUS
Supported Hi-Res Audio File Formats: FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4 SLS
Supported Network File Sharing: Server Messsage Block (SMB)
Native Sampling Rates: up to 192 kHz
Bit Depths: 16-24
Music Service Integrations: 23+
3rd-Party Integrations: AirPlay 2
Apple Wireless Accessory Configuration (WAC)
Control System Integrations: Crestron, Control 4, RTI, ELAN, URC, Push, Lutron, iPort
Voice Control Integrations: Amazon Alexa Skills; Actions on Google

More Features

Status Indicator: LED x 2
Play/Pause Button: Touch LED
Volume Control Buttons: Touch Slider LED
Previous/Next Track Buttons: Touch LED
Preset Buttons: Touch LED
Proximity Sensor: Yes
Audio Controls & EQ: In-App
Processor: ARM® Cortex™ -A53, Quad-Core, 1.8GHz per core
DAC: 32-Bit, 384kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: -113dBA
Distortion: THD+N, 0.002%

Connections

Power: Universal bi-pin AC cord input (100-240AC)
Ethernet/LAN: Ethernet RJ45, GigE 1000 Mbps
Wi-Fi Built In: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band
Bluetooth Quality: Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD
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: Combo Mini TOSLINK; 3.5mm Analog Line In
HDMI Input: HDMI eARC
USB IN: Type A (Fat32 Formatted)
Audio Output: Analog RCA Stereo with FIXED option
Coaxial Output: RCA
Optical Output: TOSLINK digital optical
Trigger Out: 12 Volt
Headphone Output: 3.5mm Stereo; Bluetooth
Subwoofer Output: RCA x 1; Wireless to PULSE SUB+

Product Specs

Dimensions (WxHxD): 8.7" x 1.8" x 5.7"
Weight: 2.45 lbs.

Product Warranty

1 Year

Parts & Labor

Bluesound Warranty Information

Product Manual

	Bluesound NODE Owner's Manual (PDF Format)

Editors' Choice Award - The Absolute Sound

"A music server, streamer, and DAC that accesses most of the popular streaming services and Internet radio, as well as music files off hard drives and NAS drives, all sans computer, while offering full MQA unfolding and rendering (but no DSD).

"Consistent with its NAD provenance, the Node 3i sounds really, really good—so far above its size and price that it almost makes you feel you’ve stolen something. On many digital sources it often took the most concentrated and critical listening to distinguish the Node 3i from considerably higher-priced competition, even in direct A/B comparisons."

- The Absolute Sound magazine, December 2023

"This is my most recommended streamer and yes, I have compared it to higher dollar streamers (up to $3k). With those more pricey options you may gain 3-5% in sound but you may just lose some of the usability and rock solid stability."

"The Bluesound Node Generation 3 is a fantastic improvement on the prior generation, the Node 2i. The Node is the easiest and quickest way to get set up with streaming and will get you streaming from your phone or tablet within 5 minutes."

- Steve Huff, stevehuffphoto.com, April 7, 2023

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