Bluesound Node X Music Streamer
Bluesound is proud to celebrate a 10-year milestone with a limited-time, 10th Anniversary Edition NODE X (N131). Since its inception, the iconic NODE has proven that audio quality, convenience and affordability can live together in one compact unit. The NODE X re-imagines some of the best parts of the NODE's product design and takes 'just add streaming' into the next generation of audiophiles.
Performance takes a step up in the NODE X with an upgraded audiophile ESS 9028Q2M Sabre DAC design to output amazing musicality, near-zero levels of clock jitter, ultra-low noise and a wide dynamic range. A truly high-end headphone amplifier driven by cutting edge THX AAA™ technology with patented feed-forward error correction results in infinitesimally low levels of noise, distortion and power consumption to drive a no-compromise headphone listening experience.
The Bluesound Node X unlocks the world of hi-res music streaming and multi-room audio to create a modern addition to existing hi-fi systems or your favourite 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 X features an 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 analogue inputs and outputs for maximum versatility. 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 also 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 X 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.
Bit-perfect music listening can happen away from your hi-fi system with the Node X 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 X 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 supplied Bluesound RC1 remote control. The intuitive touch panel control with proximity sensor features 5 convenient presets. Advanced controls, including tone controls are available in the BluOS Controller app. The Node X can also be integrated into a smart home with full-feature drivers for Lutron, Elan, RTI, Crestron, and other popular home control systems.
A New Generation Of Bluesound Node – The X Factor
Bluesound's best-selling hi-res music streamer just keeps getting better! With every passing product generation, the Bluesound Node has opened the eyes and ears of audiophiles all over the world to hi-resolution streaming, quickly becoming the Hi-Fi industry standard of a modern, digital music source. The Node X is the perfect 'just add streaming' component for the quality-conscious music lover. Add it to any audio system – an amplifier, an AVR, or a pair of active loudspeakers – to unlock the endless possibilities of hi-res music streaming.
Bluesound continues to lead the Hi-Fi streaming revolution, and the latest generation Node X represents technology upgrades and audio improvements that set the bar higher than ever before. What the previous generation Players did, the new Node X does better. On top of the next-gen processor platform, Bluesound have layered several improvements sure to delight the modern audiophile: a new and improved DAC design, an HDMI eARC input, an updated and intuitive touch control panel with proximity sensing, support for USB audio output to an external DAC, and a premium matte satin paint finish, ensuring the Node X fits seamlessly into any listening setup.
Bluesound's mission is to bring hi-resolution, Hi-Fi listening to everyday life. The Node X is the latest benchmark of this worthy pursuit – the perfect blend of audio quality, modern design, and value for the music lover.
Premium DAC Design: An advanced DAC design, with differential output engaged, means that this audiophile-grade streamer now sounds even better. The Node X boasts a signal-to-noise ratio of -118dB and a distortion level of 0.0003%, a notable performance enhancement over the previous model. In that sense, the Node X just may be the most affordable high-end audio component on the planet.
Intuitive Touch Controls: An elegant, full-glass interface with capacitive touch LED controls graces the top of the Node X, providing you with an intuitive touchpoint for play, pause, volume and presets. The Node X also features a proximity sensor, ensuring that the array of LEDs on the top panel do not cause any unwanted light pollution, only turning on as you place your hand close – when the controls are needed.
A True Hi-fi Streamer: The Node X stays true to its hi-res audio foundations while providing incredible flexibility for any Hi-Fi setup. In addition to its own high-performance internal DAC, the Node X supports USB Audio 2.0 output on the Type-A port, with the ability to send 24bit/192kHz digital audio via USB to a separate, external DAC of choice. Of course, you also get BluOS, the world's leading hi-res multi-room system that connects the Node X to all the music ever recorded – endless possibilities to unlock the full potential of your listening setup.
Future Forward: The next generation Bluesound quad-core processor boasts all the power and speed required for the latest and greatest audio processing, with built-in headroom for whatever technologies the future may hold. In that sense, the Node X is over-specified, so it can be a staple in your listening room for years and decades to come.
The Ins And Outs: As the Swiss-army-knife of Hi-Fi streaming, the Node X features an array of digital and analogue inputs and outputs. The Node X features an HDMI eARC input on the back panel, to keep your setup flexible and future-friendly. The Node X is designed to be as comfortable in a two-channel TV system as it is in an audiophile's dedicated listening room, providing a hi-res experience no matter where it's used.
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.
Control Freak: When one medium of control is not enough, the Node X offers a half-dozen ways to get your music however you want. Quick access controls like play/pause, track skipping, and volume are available as touch panel controls at the top of the Node X, via voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Voice, or by programming your own IR remote or using the supplied Bluesound RC1 hand held remote control. Advanced controls, including tone controls, subwoofer crossover optimization, and listening modes are available in the BluOS Controller App. The Node X can also be integrated into a smart home with full-feature drivers for Lutron, Elan, RTI, Crestron, and other popular home control systems.
Painted Silver Finish: Bluesound players are designed to fit into your everyday life. The Node X is no different. The Special Anniversary Edition painted Silver finish, looks great in any décor. Easy to clean and keep free of unwanted dust and grime, it looks great when stacked alongside your most-loved audio gear – though at the end of the day, it's your ears that benefit most from the Node X.
Our Take On The Bluesound Node X (N131)
The Bluesound Node X unlocks the world of hi-res music streaming and multi-room audio to create a modern addition to existing hi-fi systems or your favourite set of powered speakers. This 10th Anniversary Edition model includes an upgraded Sabre ESS 9028Q2M DAC being used for near-zero levels of clock jitter, ultra-low THD, low distortion and wide dynamic range and a state of the art headphone amplifier featuring THX's Achromatic Audio Amplifier (THX AAA™) technology and a full-sized ¼" (6.35mm) jack for no-compromise headphone listening. It also sports a special anniversary edition painted silver finish and comes with a Bluesound RC1 remote control as standard.
Just like the regular Node you can 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, or Mac or PC computers. Built with audiophile-grade components, including a premium differential DAC design, MQA capabilities, and convenience features like AirPlay and Bluetooth, the Node X is the ultimate hi-res multi-room streamer for the modern music lover.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Hi-Res Wireless Network Music Player
- Changes to Node X
- Premium Sabre ESS 9028Q2M DAC being used for near-zero levels of clock jitter, ultra-low THD, low distortion and wide dynamic range
- State of the art headphone amplifier features THX's Achromatic Audio Amplifier (THX AAA™) technology and a full-sized ¼" (6.35mm) jack for no-compromise headphone listening
- Bluesound BC1 Remote Control supplied standard
- Special Anniversary Edition painted Silver finish
- Quad-core 1.8GHz ARM Cortex A53 processor
- 32-bit/384kHz Premium DAC design
- HDMI eARC, optical & analogue inputs
- Stereo analogue, 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
- Roon Ready
- Voice control with Apple's Siri, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant (external Apple, Amazon or Google device required)
- 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
Connections
- Network
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac, 2.4/5GHz)
- Ethernet RJ45, GigE 1000 Mbps
- Audio Input
- Mini TOSLINK/3.5mm Stereo combo
- HDMI eARC
- Audio Output
- Analog Stereo RCA (Fixed or Variable)
- Coaxial RCA
- TOSLINK digital optical
- USB Audio 2.0 (Available for free with future software update)
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD
- Two-Way (transmit & receive)
- Headphones
- 35mm Stereo Out
- Wireless Bluetooth Out
- Subwoofer
- RCA Out
- Network Pairing to Bluesound Pulse Sub+
- USB: Type-A Port for external drive connection (Fat32 or NTFS formatted)
- Trigger: 12V Trigger Out
- IR Remote
- IR Sensor Built In - front panel with IR Remote Learning
- IR Input 3.5mm Jack
- Power: Universal bi-pin AC cord input (100-240AC)
Audio
- DAC: Sabre ESS 9028Q2M 32-Bit / 384kHz, Differential Output Design
- 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
- Processor: ARM® Cortex™ A53, Quad-Core, 1.8GHz per core
- Native Sampling Rates: Up to 192 kHz
- Bit Depths: 16-24 Bits
- Signal to Noise Ratio: -118dBA
- Total Harmonic Distortion - THD+N: 0.0003%
Software & Integrations
- Operating System: BluOS
- App Controller Operating Systems: Apple iOS, Android, Windows, Mac
- Network File Sharing: SMB up to 200,000 track index
- Album Art Supported: JPG, PNG
- Internet Radio: iHeart Radio, Radio Paradise, LiveXLive, TuneIn
- Music Services: Amazon Music, Deezer, Qobuz, Spotify, TIDAL
- Voice Control: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri (external Apple, Amazon or Google device required)
- 3rd-Party Support: AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Roon Ready
- Control Systems: Control4, Crestron, URC, RTI, ELAN, Lutron
General
- Included Accessories: Power Cable, Ethernet Cable, Stereo RCA to RCA Cable, Toslink Optical to 3.5mm Mini Adaptor, Safety/Warranty Guide, Quick Setup Guide, 10th Anniversary Insert
- Removable Power Cable: Upgrade to an IsoTek Power Cable for better performance
- Finish: Special Anniversary Edition painted Silver finish
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 220 x 46 x 146mm
- Weight: 1.09Kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.