Bluesound Powernode Streaming Amplifier Review

[PenguinMusic]

Hi,

Why the discussion ?

I think it is almost clearly established now that almost all devices tested by Amirm lately are beyond threshold of human hearing.
So about every device will do your ears the same favors... the Bluesound Node or the Topping D90.
It is like having a smartphone allowing you to play with 97fps... when your neighbour's lame machine only will get you 96fps... when the human eye can detect about 30fps anyways
The difference is measurable.
Will I "feel the difference" ?
Not sure I will...
I may even loose the game despite having one frame more won't I ?
Still, people want the iPhone 15 Pro Max even though they already own the 14 Pro Max...
Why ? Not to be explained...

Same goes here.
Once your device get's beyond a certain point of measurements, the choice will be based on totally subjective reasons (looks, fanboyism for a brand) or mildly subjective reasons (features given there is no perfect device that will give it all) or more objective reasons (this is as far as my wallet can stretch).

And tell you what...
That is the way I like it.
This is what makes audio world so nice.
If we would all go for measurements alone, we would all end up with the same device and would change it as soon as a new device, that measures an ass hair better, is released.
Conformism and utilitarism at it's best.
Me I don't want it and no, I haven't chosen my wife on measurements. Else I would have picked a different one !

Regards.

 

[beefkabob]

The point is that a Ferrari is a Ferrari; a powerful Toyota remains a Toyota (with all due respect).

And water is wet.

 

[PenguinMusic]

And water is wet.

That is what they want you to believe.

But has it been measured ?

 

[antcollinet]

That is what they want you to believe.

But has it been measured ?

And defined which sort of wet?

 

[PenguinMusic]

And defined which sort of wet?

You're reintroducing some subjectivity in here...

 

[antcollinet]

You're reintroducing some subjectivity in here...

No, it is objectively proven that Welsh rain (the horizontal sort) is the wettest. All else follows from there.

 

[AltoVariago]

Beware of the objectively proven.

Parachute use to prevent death and major trauma when jumping from aircraft: randomized controlled trial

Objective To determine if using a parachute prevents death or major traumatic injury when jumping from an aircraft. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Private or commercial aircraft between September 2017 and August 2018. Participants 92 aircraft passengers aged 18 and over were...

www.bmj.com

 

[antcollinet]

Beware of the objectively proven.

Parachute use to prevent death and major trauma when jumping from aircraft: randomized controlled trial

Objective To determine if using a parachute prevents death or major traumatic injury when jumping from an aircraft. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Private or commercial aircraft between September 2017 and August 2018. Participants 92 aircraft passengers aged 18 and over were...

www.bmj.com

No worries with the rain. It was a complex series of experiments involving a herd of calibrated Beulah Speckled Face Sheep, a dog, a lot of horizontal rain, a specially constructed sheep spin dryer, and a graduated bucket.

 

[beefkabob]

No worries with the rain. It was a complex series of experiments involving a herd of calibrated Beulah Speckled Face Sheep, a dog, a lot of horizontal rain, a specially constructed sheep spin dryer, and a graduated bucket.

What degree did the bucket earn?

 

[Timcognito]

Don't have ChatGPT. But if you do, please ask it, when raining, if one runs from the car to the house door does one stay drier than walking and let us know the results.

 

[PenguinMusic]

Don't have ChatGPT. But if you do, please ask it, when raining, if one runs from the car to the house door does one stay drier than walking and let us know the results.

Hi,

Yeah, that is a good question to ask to AI.
But you can alo fuck chatGPT and ask me.

The answer is no : you'll be wet the same

I can demonstrate it by simple scientific observation.
You are in your car and drive 100mph. You're under the impression of heavy rain.
You slow down, you're under the impression of lighter rain.

What is there more to demonstrate scientifically ?

 

[Timcognito]

Hi,

Yeah, that is a good question to ask to AI.
But you can alo fuck chatGPT and ask me.

The answer is no : you'll be wet the same

I can demonstrate it by simple scientific observation.
You are in your car and drive 100mph. You're under the impression of heavy rain.
You slow down, you're under the impression of lighter rain.

What is there more to demonstrate scientifically ?

Not going to disagree, if the rain is falling vertically it hits the top of your body. Running would expose the lower parts to more rain, in my thought experiment.

 

[beefkabob]

My thought experiment is unable to accurately model reality. My car gets thoroughly wet when I drive quickly, but then I cover long distances. My car also gets thoroughly wet when it just sits in the driveway or in traffic. Which is wetter? Denisty and speed probably both play roles here.

 

[AltoVariago]

I remind that we are discussing the sound of an amplifier, not the efficacy and the safety of a lifesaving anti-cancer drug.

 

[antcollinet]

I remind that we are discussing the sound of an amplifier, not the efficacy and the safety of a lifesaving anti-cancer drug.

Are we?

Bugger! I was discussing wet sheep

 

[nygafre]

The recent pivot of this discussion.. . At least water is Blue.. and propagate sound.

 

[PenguinMusic]

I remind that we are discussing the sound of an amplifier, not the efficacy and the safety of a lifesaving anti-cancer drug.

Can you elaborate on the difference between both ?

 

[LugsyTL47]

Car analogies are always faulty - but if you want one: It is like buying a Tesla - and finding that, though it has all the luxury, and advanced driving assistance features you wanted, it's power and handling** are that of a Hyundai I10 (good enough, hardly exciting, available at 1/4 the price).


** I would say handling (being an objective measurable performance characteristic) would be part of the measurement sweep. See, car analogies rarely work well.

To add, HyundaI/Kia have zero handling capabilities when their engines blow like both our Elentra and Sorento, plus the other 1.6 million in class-action lawsuit in Canada & USA. Cars are bad analogies.

 

[Synaesthetica]

This thread is such a typical internet thread. 7 pages of people saying you can get plenty of better value elsewhere and not a single actual product listed other than a wiim amp + fosi and a $2199 NAD amp (that's better value than the much more expensive $2400 NAD amp).

Made an account just to say this.

Heard the Powernode in store on some Dali Oberon's and b&w 606 S3 and worked plenty fine. But all the features are lost on me. Want good power, Bluetooth and a tv input. Don't need Roon and all the other hoo-ha but gee this thread did not help.

 

[Mr. Widget]

Heard the Powernode in store on some Dali Oberon's and b&w 606 S3 and worked plenty fine. But all the features are lost on me. Want good power, Bluetooth and a tv input. Don't need Roon and all the other hoo-ha but gee this thread did not help.

If you were considering buying expensive audio cables, there are many threads here that would help you save money.
Unfortunately you seem to have found a weak spot.

The Powernode and its chief rival the Sonos Amp are really meant to be building blocks for a distributed audio system. If your goal is a distributed audio system with TV connectivity and streaming then either of these are just fine, if your needs are for a one room solution you could start a new thread asking for recommendations based on your actual needs... you might get some useful tips.