This is a review and detailed measurements of the 2024
Bluesound Node N132
.
I purchased mine new from a reseller. Price was around 500€.
Note that this is the 2024 model. You may find the previous model (2021) much cheaper. Amir reviewed this one here.
The Bluesound Node combines a multiroom network streamer, DAC, ADC and headphones amplifier in one box.
As several Node models, it is also Dirac capable (if you purchase the optional Dirac license).
It's part of the BluOS eco-system from Bluesound and sister company NAD.
Operation is done from the BluOS App, while basic commands may also be done by touching the top of the device.
Inputs
The Node allows quite a few sources :
Of course, main use for streaming is network, so it includes an Ethernet RJ45 port.
Wifi is also provided, as well as Bluetooth (unfortunately, LDAC is not supported).
Streaming sources include the usual actors like Qobuz, Tidal, Amazon, Spotify, ...
TuneIn may also be used for internet radio streaming.
You may also stream music from a NAS, or from a USB key you plug in the local USB port.
A physical stereo audio input is also present, which may allow either an analog connection OR an optical SPDIF (not at the same time).
And, last but not least, you'll find an HDMI eArc input.
Interestingly, any source may then be routed to any room within your BluOS network.
Outputs
Outputs include analog (unbalanced, on RCA plugs) and digital SPIF over Optical Toslink or coax.
It also includes a 6.35mm headphones Jack on the front.
On top of that, there is a separate Subwoofer analog output (unbalanced RCA).
Trigger in and out are also foreseen.
Measurements
Measures are performed with following equipment:
RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE, as the main DAC and ADC
For very low levels, I used an E1DA scaler to amplify the signal.
For this review, I used Audio Precision APx 500 Flex 9.0.2, where possible.
Some measurements were done with my ususal software, Virtins Multi Instrument (now version 3.9.11.1).
The Node was tested with BluOS 4.8.17.
Many thanks to Amir, who was kind enough to share most of his templates, which, of course, helps to keep results more coherent with his own measurements.
There are some limitations and differences compared to Amir's testing with an Audio Precision APx555.
That's more than enough to get a good idea of the device performances though.
I'll post comments where such differences are most important.
(Actually, we shouldn't be close to where those differences matter here - so expect results to be very similar or identical)
Analog Ouput (DAC) measurements
Bluesound advertises an ES9039Q2M DAC chip and a THX grade Headphones amplifier.
Let's see what this gives us in measurements.
SINAD measurement
Analog outputs 2V Dashboard - Streaming from a WAV file
Good news: We now have a Bluesound Node that has good measurements !
If that was Amir's official measurements, it would rank in the middle of the bunch, near the middle of the "Green" or "Very Good" bucket.
Analog outputs 2V Dashboard - Optical input
Another good news: Optical input gives identical results.
Jitter is also very similar, as we will see later.
That's especially good news for me, since I may then use it to run the whole set of our usual measurements.
As the Node doesn't propose an USB input (the Icon does, not this one), that's the only way to do it.
I am able to run tests like this:
SINAD vs level
We see little changes on a 1.2V-2V range.
As we see here and in above dashboards, SINAD is limited by Distortion rather than noise.
We are still far away from the SINAD of the best in class using the same DAC chip.
Dynamic range
Due to the way I perform this measurement, I was not able to use Audio Precision software directly for this measurement.
However, I use the same CCIR-2k weighting AP uses.
NB: I forgot to re-measure Voltage. So voltage shown is not accurate. Should be around 2mV for -60dB at 2V.
The level you see in the plot is as seen by the RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE used as ADC for this measurement. An additional amplification of 19dB is provided by an E1DA Scaler before the ADC.
2V CCIR-2k dynamic range
I also measured unweigthed and with A-Weighting
Values are well behind the specs (although the specs are very confusing on that topic).
We miss at least 5-6dBs to match the advertised values.
In Unweighted measurement, we see a somehow unsual noise profile in high-mid frequencies.
Nothing concerning, though.
Linearity
Thanks to Amir, I was able to use his own project/template.
Values shoudl therefore be more in line with his results.
Good result here.
Multitone Measurements
We see noise/distortion raising in high frequencies.
Level remains low though.
IMD vs Level
Performance is correct but not great.
Compared to a much cheaper Topping E30 II Lite, the Node shows more noise.
Hopefully, distortion is kept under control though.
Sine 50Hz under 600 Ohm load measurement
(Torture test)
I ran this new test Amir added in the recent DAC measurements.
I run this test with an home-made 600 Ohm load.
Nothing wrong here.
Output impedance
This is in line with the specs (100 Ohm)
Jitter
Jitter is quite high, although unlikely to be audible.
It doesn't change significantly between Streaming or Optical input.
Here is a comparison with some recent DAC
Again, the Node's Jitter, while far from state of the art, shouldn't have a negative audible impact, since level remains low.
Filter
There is no filter choice, but performance of the defautl filter is as it should be.
So we have, overall, very decent DAC performance with this Node.
Analog Input (ADC) measurements
Let's start with our usual dashboard.
ADC SINAD 2V
Ooops... That is quite saturated at 2V input.
Let's try at -1dBFS
ADC SINAD at -1dBFS
Now that's better !
What's the ideal input level ?
SINAD vs level
Best is around 0.9V
ADC SINAD at 0.9V
We won't get anything better than that, I'm afraid.
It's not 16 bits, rather 15 bits, but that's OK.
ADC Dynamic range
Dynamic Range CCIR-2k weighting
I also measured Unweighted and A-Weighted
This is is line with what we could expect.
ADC Linearity
Same here: we see around 16-17 bits linearity, then it goes all over the place.
ADC Frequency response
Frequency response is excellent.
Note that I didn't find a way to change the sampling frequency for the Line input: it seems locked on 44.1kHz.
ADC Frequency Multitone
Also good result here:
In line with the previous measurements, nothing bad.
Note about this measurement: 192kHz is the DAC sampling frequency here.
I used SPDIF SRC on the RME optical input for this test.
Line input (ADC) is what we could expect:
Not Ground breaking, but quite good, actually, compared to similar devices
Headphones output measurements
Distortion+Noise vs level for various impedances
We see quite good result.
Minimum THD+N (exactly -SINAD) reaches the same performance than the line output at 32 or 64 Ohm.
At higher impedances though, we see some degradation as from 100mV.
Saturation happens way above 2V for all impedances but the very low 17 ohm.
Power for various impedances
This is how this translates into power vs Impedance.
Maximum power is reached for 32 ohm, where we approach 250mW.
For higher impedances, we keep around 50mW.
That's not the power of a dedicated headphones amplifier, of course, but, at least, that's corresponding to the Specs.
Signal on Noise Ratio for 50mV
Noise at 50mV is below average, though.
On Amir's ranking, it would land around the top of the lowest 1/4.
Conclusions
At last, we have a Bluesound Node that measures above CD quality.
We are far away from state of the art, but good enough performance makes this a perfectly usable device.
Of course, the big selling point is the functionality.
I'm personnaly using BluOS ecosystem devices at home for more than 10 years now.
This is a very pleasant and easy to use Multiroom system.
The addition of Dirac is very welcome, and there is not much left to want on top for me.
Now we still have to see how Dirac is performing.
One important question may be :
Is the additional cost of the Node N132 worth it versus the -still available- previous version ?
If you attach an external DAC to the SPDIF output, you'll get at least the same performance than the N132 with an older (and cheaper) N130 or N131
(and even from the very old N100, although the functionalities are then much more limited).
Also, one has to make a choice between the different current Node models : this one, or the cheaper Node Nano - which shares the same DAC part but doesn't have Dirac - or the much more expensive Icon - with a better measuring DAC...
For me, I want Dirac and the N132 does make sense, since performance is "good enough" for my intended use.
But that's a question everyone would have to answer personnaly.
As you may read below, there are, unfortunately, still some issues for some basic functionalities with BluOS software, impacting probably all Node models, present and past.
So giving a final conclusion is difficult to me at that stage.
(Let's hope this issue is fixed soon and I will update here)
I hope you now have enough details to make an informed decision.
Bluesound Node N132
I purchased mine new from a reseller. Price was around 500€.
Note that this is the 2024 model. You may find the previous model (2021) much cheaper. Amir reviewed this one here.
The Bluesound Node combines a multiroom network streamer, DAC, ADC and headphones amplifier in one box.
As several Node models, it is also Dirac capable (if you purchase the optional Dirac license).
It's part of the BluOS eco-system from Bluesound and sister company NAD.
Operation is done from the BluOS App, while basic commands may also be done by touching the top of the device.
Inputs
The Node allows quite a few sources :
Of course, main use for streaming is network, so it includes an Ethernet RJ45 port.
Wifi is also provided, as well as Bluetooth (unfortunately, LDAC is not supported).
Streaming sources include the usual actors like Qobuz, Tidal, Amazon, Spotify, ...
TuneIn may also be used for internet radio streaming.
You may also stream music from a NAS, or from a USB key you plug in the local USB port.
A physical stereo audio input is also present, which may allow either an analog connection OR an optical SPDIF (not at the same time).
And, last but not least, you'll find an HDMI eArc input.
Interestingly, any source may then be routed to any room within your BluOS network.
Outputs
Outputs include analog (unbalanced, on RCA plugs) and digital SPIF over Optical Toslink or coax.
It also includes a 6.35mm headphones Jack on the front.
On top of that, there is a separate Subwoofer analog output (unbalanced RCA).
Trigger in and out are also foreseen.
Measurements
Measures are performed with following equipment:
RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE, as the main DAC and ADC
For very low levels, I used an E1DA scaler to amplify the signal.
For this review, I used Audio Precision APx 500 Flex 9.0.2, where possible.
Some measurements were done with my ususal software, Virtins Multi Instrument (now version 3.9.11.1).
The Node was tested with BluOS 4.8.17.
Many thanks to Amir, who was kind enough to share most of his templates, which, of course, helps to keep results more coherent with his own measurements.
There are some limitations and differences compared to Amir's testing with an Audio Precision APx555.
That's more than enough to get a good idea of the device performances though.
I'll post comments where such differences are most important.
(Actually, we shouldn't be close to where those differences matter here - so expect results to be very similar or identical)
Analog Ouput (DAC) measurements
Bluesound advertises an ES9039Q2M DAC chip and a THX grade Headphones amplifier.
Let's see what this gives us in measurements.
SINAD measurement
Analog outputs 2V Dashboard - Streaming from a WAV file
Good news: We now have a Bluesound Node that has good measurements !
If that was Amir's official measurements, it would rank in the middle of the bunch, near the middle of the "Green" or "Very Good" bucket.
Analog outputs 2V Dashboard - Optical input
Another good news: Optical input gives identical results.
Jitter is also very similar, as we will see later.
That's especially good news for me, since I may then use it to run the whole set of our usual measurements.
As the Node doesn't propose an USB input (the Icon does, not this one), that's the only way to do it.
I am able to run tests like this:
SINAD vs level
We see little changes on a 1.2V-2V range.
As we see here and in above dashboards, SINAD is limited by Distortion rather than noise.
We are still far away from the SINAD of the best in class using the same DAC chip.
Dynamic range
Due to the way I perform this measurement, I was not able to use Audio Precision software directly for this measurement.
However, I use the same CCIR-2k weighting AP uses.
NB: I forgot to re-measure Voltage. So voltage shown is not accurate. Should be around 2mV for -60dB at 2V.
The level you see in the plot is as seen by the RME ADI-2/4 Pro SE used as ADC for this measurement. An additional amplification of 19dB is provided by an E1DA Scaler before the ADC.
2V CCIR-2k dynamic range
I also measured unweigthed and with A-Weighting
Values are well behind the specs (although the specs are very confusing on that topic).
We miss at least 5-6dBs to match the advertised values.
In Unweighted measurement, we see a somehow unsual noise profile in high-mid frequencies.
Nothing concerning, though.
Linearity
Thanks to Amir, I was able to use his own project/template.
Values shoudl therefore be more in line with his results.
Good result here.
Multitone Measurements
We see noise/distortion raising in high frequencies.
Level remains low though.
IMD vs Level
Performance is correct but not great.
Compared to a much cheaper Topping E30 II Lite, the Node shows more noise.
Hopefully, distortion is kept under control though.
Sine 50Hz under 600 Ohm load measurement
(Torture test)
I ran this new test Amir added in the recent DAC measurements.
I run this test with an home-made 600 Ohm load.
Nothing wrong here.
Output impedance
| RCA analog Output | ||
| Open circuit Voltage | 2,0668 | Vrms |
| Load resistance | 614,64 | Ohm |
| Loaded circuit Voltage | 1,7845 | Vrms |
| Zo=RL*(V1/V2-1) | 97,23 | Ohms |
This is in line with the specs (100 Ohm)
Jitter
Jitter is quite high, although unlikely to be audible.
It doesn't change significantly between Streaming or Optical input.
Here is a comparison with some recent DAC
Again, the Node's Jitter, while far from state of the art, shouldn't have a negative audible impact, since level remains low.
Filter
There is no filter choice, but performance of the defautl filter is as it should be.
So we have, overall, very decent DAC performance with this Node.
Analog Input (ADC) measurements
Let's start with our usual dashboard.
ADC SINAD 2V
Ooops... That is quite saturated at 2V input.
Let's try at -1dBFS
ADC SINAD at -1dBFS
Now that's better !
What's the ideal input level ?
SINAD vs level
Best is around 0.9V
ADC SINAD at 0.9V
We won't get anything better than that, I'm afraid.
It's not 16 bits, rather 15 bits, but that's OK.
ADC Dynamic range
Dynamic Range CCIR-2k weighting
I also measured Unweighted and A-Weighted
This is is line with what we could expect.
ADC Linearity
Same here: we see around 16-17 bits linearity, then it goes all over the place.
ADC Frequency response
Frequency response is excellent.
Note that I didn't find a way to change the sampling frequency for the Line input: it seems locked on 44.1kHz.
ADC Frequency Multitone
Also good result here:
In line with the previous measurements, nothing bad.
Note about this measurement: 192kHz is the DAC sampling frequency here.
I used SPDIF SRC on the RME optical input for this test.
Line input (ADC) is what we could expect:
Not Ground breaking, but quite good, actually, compared to similar devices
Headphones output measurements
Distortion+Noise vs level for various impedances
We see quite good result.
Minimum THD+N (exactly -SINAD) reaches the same performance than the line output at 32 or 64 Ohm.
At higher impedances though, we see some degradation as from 100mV.
Saturation happens way above 2V for all impedances but the very low 17 ohm.
Power for various impedances
This is how this translates into power vs Impedance.
Maximum power is reached for 32 ohm, where we approach 250mW.
For higher impedances, we keep around 50mW.
That's not the power of a dedicated headphones amplifier, of course, but, at least, that's corresponding to the Specs.
Signal on Noise Ratio for 50mV
Noise at 50mV is below average, though.
On Amir's ranking, it would land around the top of the lowest 1/4.
Conclusions
At last, we have a Bluesound Node that measures above CD quality.
We are far away from state of the art, but good enough performance makes this a perfectly usable device.
Of course, the big selling point is the functionality.
I'm personnaly using BluOS ecosystem devices at home for more than 10 years now.
This is a very pleasant and easy to use Multiroom system.
The addition of Dirac is very welcome, and there is not much left to want on top for me.
Now we still have to see how Dirac is performing.
One important question may be :
Is the additional cost of the Node N132 worth it versus the -still available- previous version ?
If you attach an external DAC to the SPDIF output, you'll get at least the same performance than the N132 with an older (and cheaper) N130 or N131
(and even from the very old N100, although the functionalities are then much more limited).
Also, one has to make a choice between the different current Node models : this one, or the cheaper Node Nano - which shares the same DAC part but doesn't have Dirac - or the much more expensive Icon - with a better measuring DAC...
For me, I want Dirac and the N132 does make sense, since performance is "good enough" for my intended use.
But that's a question everyone would have to answer personnaly.
As you may read below, there are, unfortunately, still some issues for some basic functionalities with BluOS software, impacting probably all Node models, present and past.
So giving a final conclusion is difficult to me at that stage.
(Let's hope this issue is fixed soon and I will update here)
I hope you now have enough details to make an informed decision.
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