About The Bluesound Node N132 Music Streamer
Simply put, there is nothing like the Node. With re-engineered components and circuitry for even better performance, the original wireless hi-res music streamer now features an industry-leading ESS SABRE® DAC, built-in THX AAA™ headphone, aptX™ Adaptive Bluetooth, and DSD support. Connect it to your existing Hi-Fi or audio system and stream everything from popular music streaming services and hi-res audio tracks from your personal library to radio stations, podcasts, and more. Add HDMI eARC, Dolby Digital decoding and Apple AirPlay 2, and the Node becomes the heart of your home music experience with the wireless freedom to add and connect to other Bluesound Players around the home for multi-room music.
Better Down To Every Sonic Detail: Stream like never before and bring out every detail of your music. From audiophile-engineering and carefully selected components to its breakthrough processing power and acoustic measurements, it's all about design and engineering with the Node. A new and improved ESS SABRE® DAC (ES9039Q2M) is precision engineered to be even more pristine with circuitry expertly designed to reduce jitter and interference. The result is clean and clear audio to your favourite amp or powered speakers.
Your Music And More: From popular music streaming services to radio stations and podcasts, the Node connects you to everything you love to listen to. Plus, with aptX™ Adaptive Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2 built in, you can enjoy even more music from more apps and services. Connect the Node to digital music libraries stored on your computer or local network, and effortlessly browse and stream favourites from your collection in the BluOS app.
Go Beyond The Hi-Fi System: With the Node and multiple Bluesound Players, you can create a multiroom music system wirelessly connected by BluOS™ throughout your whole home. Play your new favourite track everywhere or listen to different music and genres in different rooms with total control from your phone, tablet, or desktop.
World-Class Headphone Amplifier Technology: Lifelike headphone listening is made possible by THX AAA™ technology, the headphone amplifier that boasts the world's most linear response. Its patented feed-forward error correction results in remarkably low noise and distortion, revealing exceptional soundstage and clarity. Connect your high-performance headphones to a full-sized ¼" (6.35 mm) headphone jack and enjoy audiophile listening with zero compromise.
Connect Everything: The Node is packed with digital and analogue inputs and outputs, making it incredibly versatile. You can bring in audio from your TV and gaming consoles with HDMI eARC, while dual-band Wi-Fi and gigabit ethernet keeps the music streaming without dropouts or interruptions. A proximity sensing touch panel provides quick control and access up to five programmable presets. Available in matte black and white finishes, the Node fits in the home perfectly.
Smart Acoustics: Your Node comes ready to intelligently fight bad room acoustics with Dirac Live, available as an upgrade directly from Dirac. Use Dirac's app to measure your room acoustics and eradicate bass traps, echoes, and other unwanted distortions from your audio. The result is clear, balanced, and detailed sound for your music and movie soundtracks. A calibration kit with a high-sensitivity microphone is also required and available from Bluesound.
Our Take
The Bluesound Node Music Streamer sets a new standard for wireless hi-res audio with re-engineered components and industry-leading technology. Featuring the ESS SABRE® DAC for pristine audio, THX AAA™ headphone amplification, aptX™ Adaptive Bluetooth, and DSD support, the Node integrates seamlessly with any Hi-Fi system, streaming everything from music to podcasts with wonderful clarity. Its connectivity options, including HDMI eARC and Apple AirPlay 2, make it the centrepiece of a multi-room music system powered by BluOS™, while the ability to upgrade to Dirac Live room correction ensures optimal sound quality. With smart design and versatility, the Node delivers audiophile-grade performance in every detail.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Hi-Res Wireless Network Music Player
- ESS ES9039Q2M SABRE® DAC
- Stereo RCA Output
- Optical, Coaxial & USB Outputs
- Subwoofer Output
- 35mm Headphone Output
- THX AAA™ Headphone Amplifier
- HDMI eARC Input
- 5mm Analogue/Optical Input
- Dirac Live Ready
- 5 Programmable Quick-Touch Presets
- User-Interface With Proximity Sensor
- BluOS™ Wireless Multi-Room Platform
- Quad-Core 1.8GHZ ARM® Cortex™ A53 Processor
- MQA & Hi-Res Music Streaming
- DSD Playback – Via Future Software Update
- AirPlay 2 Integration
- Spotify Connect + Tidal Connect
- Local Server Mode
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi + Gigabit
- Ethernet
- Two-Way aptX™ Adaptive Bluetooth
- IR Remote Learning Capability
- 12V Trigger Out
- Black & White Finishes Available
Audio
- Supported Audio File Formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, WMA-L, OGG, ALAC, OPUS
- Supported High-Quality Audio File Formats: FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4 SLS
- DSD Support: DSD256, available via future BluOS update
- Supported Multi-Channel Audio Formats: Dolby Digital®
- Native Sampling Rates: up to 192 kHz
- Bit Depth: 16-24
- Audio Controls & EQ: BluOS Controller App
- DAC: ESS ES9039Q2M
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: -118 dB
- Distortion: THD+N, 0.0007%
- Headphone Continuous Output Power (THD<0.1%): 160mW, 16Ω / 230mW, 32Ω / 53mW, 250Ω / 22mW, 600Ω
Software & Integrations
- Operating System: BluOS
- App Controller Operating System: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
- Processor: ARM® Cortex™ A53, Quad-Core, 1.8GHz per core
- Supported Network File Sharing: Server Message Block (SMB) up to 200,000 files
- Album Art Supported: JPG, PNG
- Music Services & Internet Radio: 23+
- 3rd-Party Integrations: AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready
- Control System Integrations: Crestron, Control4, RTI, ELAN, URC, Lutron
- Voice Control Integrations: Amazon Alexa Skills
Connections
- Power Supply: Universal bi-pin AC cord input (100-240AC)
- Ethernet/LAN: Ethernet RJ45, Gigabit 1000 Mbps
- Wi-Fi Built In: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band
- Bluetooth Quality: Bluetooth 5.2 aptX Adaptive
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Two-Way (transmit & receive)
- IR Optical Built In: IR Sensor Built In - front panel with IR Remote Learning
- Optical/Analogue Input: Combo - Mini TOSLINK/Stereo 3.5mm
- IR Input: 3.5mm Jack
- HDMI Input: HDMI eARC
- USB In
- Type A (Fat32 Formatted) - External Storage only
- Local Server Mode
- Audio Outputs
- Analogue RCA Stereo with Fixed option
- USB Audio 2.0 (Type A)
- Coaxial Output: RCA Digital
- Optical Output: TOSLINK Digital
- Trigger Out: 12 Volt
- Headphone Outputs
- 3mm Stereo
- Bluetooth
- Subwoofer Outputs
- RCA x 1
- Wireless to Pulse Sub+
User Interface & Control
- Status Indicator: LED x 2
- Play/Pause Button: Touch LED
- Volume Control Buttons: Touch Slider LED
- Preset Buttons: Touch LED x 5
- Proximity Sensor
General
- Version: N132
- Storage Environment: -10°C to 50°C, 20% to 80% relative humidity
- Operating Environment: 0°C to 40°C
- Included Accessories: AC Power Cable, Stereo RCA to RCA Cable, Ethernet Cable, Mini Jack to TOSLINK Adapter, Safety/Warranty Guide, Quick Setup Guide, Dirac Live Ready Info Card
- Finish: White or Black, Matte Satin Paint
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 220 x 46 x 146mm
- Weight: 1.09 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.