Bluesound Powernode Streaming Amplifier Review

[Dennis_FL]

Chromecast audio has analog out and optical out in the same plug. It's a 3.5mm jack, where also a mini toslink fits. The optical sensor/transmitter is at the end of the socket.

As did the previous generation of iMac desktops.

 

[Sokel]

And my 2013 macbook air. Except it has a broken 3.5mm jack inside that I can't get out.

Try with a thin wood screw,just screw it enough on it to help you get it out.

 

[Jimbob54]

The BlueOS is, before anything, a very efficient multi room system.

*nearly all counts ;-)

I do get the appeal of boxes like this though, completely. Its just a hard value proposition for me personally.

 

[Jimbob54]

Also, I know of only Toslink connector for optical in consumer audio. Ia there a banana jack for optical? News to me...

You can get toslink to optical 3.5mm adapters dirt cheap from usual places OR toslink to optical 3.5mm cables

 

[uwotm8]

Overall $100 AliExpress amp performance it seems

 

[Grooved]

Did you never heard about the Chromecast Audio? It's analog out, sure, but 3.5mm jacks sharing both analog and toslink are indeed a thing.

They are indeed common on small/compact devices, the MiBox also has analog/optical combo output, and even my 20 years old Sony MiniDisc device has an analog/optical combo, but for input

 

[Multicore]

Did you never heard about the Chromecast Audio? It's analog out, sure, but 3.5mm jacks sharing both analog and toslink are indeed a thing.

I would like to see something like that but with 1/4" mono jacks for interconnecting stomp boxes.

 

[juliangst]

The lack of parametric EQ is a deal breaker.
BluOS devices have so many options, supported services and features but PEQ is too much to ask for?

 

[Rja4000]

The lack of parametric EQ is a deal breaker.
BluOS devices have so many options, supported services and features but PEQ is too much to ask for?

That would be a great added value.
I suspect it's all done in software, though, so maybe it's too much load for the ARM processor they're using ?

 

[juliangst]

That would be a great added value.
I suspect it's all done in software, though, so maybe it's too much load for the ARM processor they're using ?

A simple 10 band PEQ doesn’t require any compute power at all. It can probably run on a pregnancy test

 

[Ein]

No good. Like someone said SONOS AMP much better (digital ofc, ADC is poor, but for gramophone OK). Sonos software (I don't know why amirm not like it - all sources here, good UI/UX, easy going, multi / zones super easy) also home cinema integrated (better cos mch). For my great piece of audio equipment.

 

[AudioSceptic]

Did you never heard about the Chromecast Audio? It's analog out, sure, but 3.5mm jacks sharing both analog and toslink are indeed a thing.

Apple notebooks, like my 2012 MacBook Pro, used to have combo audio in and out ports, analogue 3.5 mm plus Toslink. You need the right sort of Toslink plug, of course.

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Make you wish you had picked up that Denon 4306 for 150 bucks.

 

[Tom22]

Thanks for the review. I used to own one but sold it couple months ago…I never used the Bluesound App nor the physical inputs, but rather its Roon Ready feature. I wonder if this would bring better results when streaming via Roon?!

 

[antcollinet]

Its a shame that the Wiim devices only have mediocre/poor analog out otherwise a Mini plus one of these bad boys would destroy this on all counts https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/audiophonics-mpa-s250nc-amp-review.45306/

Since the wiim analogue scores about 10db better, then the combo would probably still destroy this in spite of “mediocre analogue out”

 

[prerich]

Yeah....this is a definite pass. Thanks for the review Amir.

 

[lewdish]

This falls in line w/ what I've heard from them tbh~

 

[Ajax]

This unit is less than ordinary when compared with less expensive gear, such as the Sonos AMP, assuming optical in.

Review and Measurements of SONOS Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SONOS Amp wireless/wired networked amplifier. It was kindly purchased by a member and drop shipped to me for testing. It costs USD $599 and seems to be price protected. This is the second generation amplifier from SONOS. The first one lasted...

www.audiosciencereview.com

For a similar cost (to the bluesound) my current front end consists of an old Sonos Connect (bit perfect streamer) with optical out into an SMSL SU8 DAC feeding a Buckeye Hypex NC252. Near SOTA measurements with plenty of power.

 

[AdamG]

Normally we see incremental improvements as new models are introduced. Bluesound didn’t get the memo about this apparently and have instead decided to go backwards with product maturity. Amir as always thanks for saving us from the bottomless pit of highly regarded brands miserably failing on a real test bench.

 

[Jimbob54]

Normally we see incremental improvements as new models are introduced. Bluesound didn’t get the memo about this apparently and have instead decided to go backwards with product maturity. Amir as always thanks for saving us from the bottomless pit of highly regarded brands miserably failing on a real test bench.

To be fair, I think the Powernode (has there been multiple versions? Someone will chime in) has been around a while. But this review regardless shows the need for a refresh even if this "old" and certainly is this is a newer revision.