Bluesound Starts Shipping NODE Icon Reference Wireless Music Streamer

The market for music streamers is getting extremely competitive, particularly since new Korean and Chinese manufacturers have launched premium designs at extremely competitive prices. Bluesound, the wireless hi-res multiroom pioneer that is part of Lenbrook, holds a precious edge in that segment thanks to its BluOS software and unique foothold in residential integration. The new flagship NODE Icon reinforces that advantage with a reference wireless music streamer with superior features and specifications. Bluesound announced its latest generation of wireless music streamers, with a trio of products that includes the NODE Nano, the NODE, and the flagship NODE Icon. All new three products, unveiled in August 2024, have re-designed hardware with updated ESS Sabre DACs, and rich, new audio features, including Apple AirPlay 2 and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth support, plus DSD playback in the NODE and NODE Icon. The NODE NANO was launched in August, the NODE in September, and the NODE Icon started shipping in December 2024.
 
An exciting milestone for the multiroom audio brand and setting a new benchmark in hifi, high resolution audio streaming, the NODE Icon is a music streamer for those who really care about fidelity and high-end features (and can tell the difference). Starting at $999, the NODE Icon is also the pinnacle of Bluesound’s (and Lenbrook’s) innovation, combining cutting-edge engineering and exceptional sound quality in a sleek ultramodern design. 

With its dual-mono DAC architecture, featuring two ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M DACs, the NODE Icon offers precise audio playback with ultra-low distortion. As previously revealed, the NODE Icon is the first product in the market to support MQA Labs’ revolutionary QRONO d2a processing technology, improving the overall impulse response and transparency of digital-to-analog conversion and ensuring the very best performance from each DAC chip.

Building on the success of the original NODE, the first-ever wireless hi-res music streamer and Bluesound’s most popular product, the NODE Icon is engineered to deliver the most accurate and true-to-source audio reproduction possible. From its meticulous component selection to its expertly tuned circuitry, every element of the NODE Icon is designed to deliver the best audio performance possible from a digital source.
 
The NODE Icon also features the latest two-channel ES9826 Sabre for true analog-to-digital conversion, allowing for the cleanest possible signal path. It comes in a high-quality aluminum chassis with a 5” full-color display, and a beautiful gloss black finish that integrates into any home stereo setup, while its wide array of digital/analog connectivity, including HDMI eARC and balanced XLR outputs, make it versatile enough for any high-end audio system.

“Every detail of the NODE has been meticulously engineered for performance,” says Matt Simmonds, Product Manager at Bluesound. “From its groundbreaking audio architecture to its elegant design, the NODE Icon isn’t just a streamer — it redefines what a wireless music streamer can be. It’s the perfect blend of form, function, and fidelity for those who demand the very best from their music.” Whether connecting to high-end amplifiers or home theater systems, the NODE Icon delivers exceptional performance. Using THX AAA headphone amplifier technology, the NODE Icon offers low-noise, distortion-free headphone listening. It also features dual left and right 1/4” headphone outputs, providing greater flexibility when connecting headphones. And as previously announced, the new NODE Icon will support Dirac Live Room Correction with a future software upgrade and additional license purchase.

More importantly, the NODE Icon seamlessly integrates into the BluOS ecosystem, allowing for wireless multiroom playback on Bluesound speakers and components around the home. It also allows users to connect the NODE Icon to other BluOS enabled devices from DALI Loudspeakers, Monitor Audio, NAD Electronics, PSB Speakers, and Roksan.
www.bluesound.com