Bluesound Node Icon Streamer Review

[GXAlan]

Dirac always implements delay and gain modifications that affect the whole frequency range even when the curtain is set to a minimum frequency range.

Have you played with this? I agree about the comment about it sometimes expanding the phantom center image in music making the uncorrected version better. I have found that cheating by using the electrical output to make Dirac a fancy EQ reduces that problem, allowing me to create looseness curves, etc.

 

[sapphari]

Ooooh, I will have to try that! Thanks for the tip, GXAlan.

 

[Miniyouuuu]

View attachment 438670

Have you played with this? I agree about the comment about it sometimes expanding the phantom center image in music making the uncorrected version better. I have found that cheating by using the electrical output to make Dirac a fancy EQ reduces that problem, allowing me to create looseness curves, etc.

Please give us more detail about cheating by using electrical output. Just disabling delay/gain or something else?

 

[GXAlan]

In

Ooooh, I will have to try that! Thanks for the tip, GXAlan.

Please give us more detail about cheating by using electrical output. Just disabling delay/gain or something else?

Post in thread 'Bluesound Node Icon (Quick User Measurements)'
https://audiosciencereview.com/foru...on-quick-user-measurements.60798/post-2228289

I basically connected a E1DA Cosmos ADC to the output of the Node Icon and called it my microphone for Dirac and ran a single point measurement.

Using this, I am able to assign a target curve without running into the change in phantom center presentation that happens with a true Dirac room correction.

 

[vddobrev]

I am a proud owner of Node Icon since 2 days. I have read this whole thread with great interest, and I voted great golfing panther. I am very impressed with the Node Icon, it replaced a Node X, and the upgrade is substantial.
I am pleased it measured well, and the measurements confirm the improvements I am hearing. I have it connected via XLR to NAD M27, and I do not have any issues with hum/buzz as reported online by few people.
I understand very well the mathematical and theoretical issues/problems raised in this thread with the QRONOS filter, but in practice, this is one great sounding streamer. It is a big improvement from Node X.

 

[vddobrev]

One other thing I have noticed is this.
The Node Icon is playing for my secondary zone in the kitchen, and it is paired with a Bluesound PULSE SUB+. Now that I have it connected with XLR, I had to also raise the PULSE SUB+ with 6dB to account for the increased level. Just noting it for other people with similar setup.

 

[pogo]

I understand very well the mathematical and theoretical issues/problems raised in this thread with the QRONOS filter, but in practice, this is one great sounding streamer. It is a big improvement from Node X.

 

[antcollinet]

but in practice, this is one great sounding streamer.

I'm sure it is.

It is a big improvement from Node X.

This is objectively somewhat less likely.

I'm assuming you've not done properly controlled blind tests.

 

[antcollinet]

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[mr_bill]

Thanks for sharing your observations.

‘subjective’ opinions here are usually going to be met with resistance. I’ve found this forum is all about measurements and properly controlled double blind testing.

 

[pogo]

I assume that the Icon would pass this test.
Maybe one of the users can do that.

 

[antcollinet]

I don't need blind test,

Perhaps not for your own personal interest.

But for your opinion to have any meaning for other people, here especially, uncontrolled listening comparisons don't hack it. Especially when we know that even half way decently designed DACS have been audibly perfect for decades.

 

[antcollinet]

Then I should go back and delete my uncotrlolled opinions. But I also asked you a question - have you compared both devices personally in a controlled or uncontrolled listening?

Why do you think that is relevant?

 

[PenguinMusic]

Hi,

Again and again and again...

So please, vvvobrev, be aware that you are on a forum from a site called audioSCIENCEreview.

Just make it clear that you listened to both devices side by side and that you LIKE one better than the other.
But do not say "It sounds better".
That will just lead to pointless discussions... and we already have them in large quantities.

Regards.

 

[vddobrev]

I am a proud owner of Node Icon since 2 days. I have read this whole thread with great interest, and I voted great golfing panther. I am very impressed with the Node Icon, it replaced a Node X, and the upgrade is substantial.
I am pleased it measured well, and the measurements confirm the improvements I am hearing. I have it connected via XLR to NAD M27, and I do not have any issues with hum/buzz as reported online by few people.
I understand very well the mathematical and theoretical issues/problems raised in this thread with the QRONOS filter, but in practice, this is one great sounding streamer. It is a big improvement from Node X.

I would like to state that my comments are not scientific. I listened and compared Node X to Node Icon, in a not controlled/blind tests. I preferred and liked the Node Icon better. Please take my opinion as just that - an option without any scientific facts.

 

[qirex]

Is anyone using the Icon with HDMI ARC? I'm thinking about replacing my current receiver with an Icon and an outboard amp. I have a Sony TV and my current stuff is pretty well behaved (PS5, Sony BR player, Apple TV) on CEC.

I'm mostly curious about quirks with power on, default volume, reliability with input switching, clicks and pops, etc.

 

[blackiridium]

Is anyone using the Icon with HDMI ARC? I'm thinking about replacing my current receiver with an Icon and an outboard amp. I have a Sony TV and my current stuff is pretty well behaved (PS5, Sony BR player, Apple TV) on CEC.

I'm mostly curious about quirks with power on, default volume, reliability with input switching, clicks and pops, etc.

I have it hooked up to my LG G1 eARC and it's been working flawlessly. No pops, no dropping, just works.

 

[sapphari]

I am using eARC with a Samsung TV and the Icon. Zero issues thus far (several weeks of use). I don't have pops, dropping, or issues switching sources. The Icon seems to give preference to eARC, in that if I'm listening to music (eg Tidal Connect), and I turn the TV on, the Icon switches sources to the TV (and stops playing music). I don't find that to be a problem. That said, if the TV is on but muted, you can still play music through the Icon.

 

[pogo]

You actually need MQA FOQUS to better display temporal blurring.

Such measurements are now possible with the NAD M33 V2 (market launch in August).

 

[antcollinet]

Such measurements are now possible with the NAD M33 V2 (market launch in August).

Great. Can you point us to some?