Bluesound Powernode Edge Streaming Amplifier

About The Bluesound Powernode Edge

For a decade (has it really been that long?) Bluesound's Powernode has told a story of simplicity, convenience, and performance, all while bringing more music lovers into the world of hi-res listening. This 'just add speakers' solution has proved time and time again that a Hi-Fi amplifier for the streaming age fits into listeners' everyday lifestyle. Everything the Powernode represents has inspired Bluesound to push forward into a new frontier. To take the 'just add speakers' category into new territory, on the leading edge of Hi-Fi design, where passion, experience, music, lifestyle and technology meet.

Bluesound's latest ground-breaking streaming smart amplifier is the Powernode Edge, a modern, affordable, mini-system for the digital-age that focuses on listening – simply and accessibly – without ever sacrificing audio quality. In true Bluesound fashion, the Powernode Edge proves that you can get a high calibre of performance from a truly compact and affordable product. And so, the Powernode Edge represents a breakthrough for music lovers and audio enthusiasts, many of whom are jumping into premium audio for the first time, and who desire price-attainable, hi-res playback no matter where or how they are listening.

At the same time, powered, streaming zone solutions continue to be a fundamental requirement for smart home installations. The Powernode Edge was created with system design and integration in mind. Its size, shape, features, and connectivity makes it an easy add to any audio system – centralized or localized – bringing hi-res audio to every room and space in the home. Whether being used as a main room music and entertainment system, or taking the backseat in a more passive listening area, the Powernode Edge is the ideal solution to partner with a favourite pair of in-room or architectural loudspeakers.

Bluesound's mission is to bring hi-resolution, Hi-Fi listening to everyday life. The Powernode Edge is the next chapter of this worthy pursuit – the perfect blend of audio quality, modern design, and value for the music lover.

The Powernode Edge combines streaming sources, control and amplification in one sleek and affordable player. All you need to do is connect a pair of passive speakers to experience an incredible all-in-one Hi-Fi solution. Easily connect wired sources, like a TV or turntable, with HDMI eARC or the combo analogue/digital input. Add the Bluesound Pulse Sub+ Wireless Subwoofer for a powerful but compact 2.1 stereo system or even use the Powernode Edge to power the rear channels of a wireless Bluesound surround sound setup. Using the BluOS Controller App, select songs from popular streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, from your own music library through Apple Airplay2, aptX™ HD Bluetooth®, or even a network-connected drive or USB hard drive.

Compact Power: Bring your speakers to life with the powerful, punchy 2 x 40 watts DirectDigital™ amplifier in the Powernode Edge, able to handle hi-res, 24 bit/192 kHz files and MQA-encoded tracks with ease. Enjoy clarity in playback of everything from densely-layered heavy metal tracks to whisper-quiet dialogue in movies and TV shows. The Powernode Edge decodes Dolby® Digital content on its own and can also be used to power the rear channel speakers of a wireless home theatre system.

Space Saving: Your sonic oasis doesn't have to take up all your real estate. With the Powernode Edge, gone are the days of bulky, oversized amplifiers. Comparable in size to the average hardcover book, this small yet mighty Hi-Fi system transforms any space into a high-fidelity haven.

Hi-Res For Every Corner: The sleek and compact form factor of the Powernode Edge makes it ideal for secondary rooms like offices and back porches. Equip speakers in every corner of your house with power plus streaming and hide the Powernode Edge away from sight in nooks like closets or behind sofas using the included multi-orientation wall-mount bracket.

Intuitive Control: Control is always at your fingertips via the BluOS Controller app for iOS, Android, Mac, PC, or using the elegant capacitive touch panel for quick-access controls like Play, Pause, and Volume Up/Down, and Previous/Last Track. The Powernode Edge connects to your home network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Hands-free control is possible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Voice. For professional smart home installers, full-feature drivers are available for Lutron, Crestron, RTI, Elan, and other popular control systems.

Our Take

The Bluesound Powernode Edge is, effectively, the baby brother to the Powernode which has been wowing us in various iterations for a decade now. This new slice of Future-Fi is a less expensive take on the marriage of the company's BluOS streaming platform to an amplifier for an all-in-one unit that invites the end user to 'just add loudspeakers' (and allows them to sidestep the possible madness of separates, cables and a hi-fi rack).

Like the Powernode, the Edge gets the BluOS streaming module with software control apps for iOS, Android, Windows and MacOS. It also supports (2-way) aptX Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Roon Ready and on the back panel gets hard-wired digital inputs for HDMI eARC, Toslink, analogue auxiliary and a subwoofer output.

Whilst 'only' sporting 40 Watts per channel as opposed to 80 Watts for the Powernode, the Edge still has enough power for most situations especially if you're looking to extend the reach of your main hi-fi or providing soothing sounds in a smaller environment like a study or bedroom. Just add speakers and you might be surprised by just how much you get from this deceptive small, smart package.

Main Features & Specifications

• Design: Hi-Res Wireless Streaming Amplifier – just add speakers for a complete system
• Model: N230
• Built-In Stereo Amplifier rated at 40 watts per channel into 8 ohms
• Total Harmonic Distortion: THD+N, 0.008%
• Powerful Quad-Core 1.8GHz ARM® Cortex™ A53 processor
• Top-Mounted backlit capacitive touch controls

Wireless Features

• Built-In Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
• Two-Way (Transmit & Receive) Bluetooth 5.0 with high-fidelity aptX HD audio coding for more musical detail
  • Stream Music to compatible Bluetooth headphones
  • Stream Music from your compatible smartphone, tablet or laptop
• Apple AirPlay® 2 lets you stream directly from an iPhone® or iPad® and ask Siri to play Apple Music

BlueOS App

• Free Download from Apple® App Store and Google Play
• Communicates with other Bluesound players via your home network (wired or wireless)
• Multi-Room Control and expansion with Bluesound/BluOS wireless speakers and components (up to 64 zones)
• Plays MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, WMA-L, FLAC, MQA, OPUS, ALAC, WAV, AIFF and MPEG-4 SLS files
  • Supports up to 24-bit/192kHz Resolution

Streaming Options

• Supports Spotify Connect, Deezer, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music HD etc
• Supports internet radio stations from TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio etc
• Dolby ® Digital decoding

Connections

• HDMI eARC input for your TV
• USB Type A input for connecting an external storage device
• Toslink optical digital input (adapter cable included)
• Ethernet port for a wired connection to a home network (cable included)
• 3.5mm combination analogue stereo/mini optical digital input
  • Toslink Optical to 3.5mm adapter included
• RCA mono subwoofer output
• Supports wireless connection to Bluesound Pulse Sub+
• Five-Way binding posts for connecting a pair of speakers
• Rear Panel 3.5mm IR extender input
• Front Panel IR Sensor Built In with IR Remote Learning (Optional Bluesound RC1 Remote Control available)
• Roon Ready

General

• Included Accessories: Power Cable, Ethernet Cable, Toslink Optical to 3.5mm Mini Adaptor, Metal Mounting Bracket, Mounting Screw, Rubber Mount Attachment, Safety/Warranty Guide, Quick Setup Guide
  
• Finish: Matte Satin Black or Matte Satin White finish
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 219 x 44.5 x 193mm
• Weight: 1.37 kg
• Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years

Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.