First observation, and as its name indicates, the size of the new Bluesound Node Nano is significantly more compact than that of the Node. Logically, it is amputated from certain features of its big brother (essentially linked to the absence of a headphone jack and less generous connectivity (no HDMI connector), in addition to DSD incompatibility), but the essential is preserved and allows an easy upgrade of any slightly vintage audio system based on exclusively physical content (vinyls, cassettes, [abc]audio CDs[/abc]) to directly access the world of dematerialized music. Similarly, like the Bluesound Node and the Bluesound Node Icon, the Bluesound Node Nano is the perfect companion for a pair of active speakers or a home cinema system without a network function by allowing access to all the current music platforms or to its shared music library on the home network (hard drive [abc]Nas[/abc], computer, multimedia box, etc.).
Bluesound Node Nano, main specifications££££
A major change in Bluesound Node network players, especially the Nano, is the presence of an ESS Sabre 192 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converter (compared to a TI 384 kHz/32-bit model). The Bluetooth 5.2 protocol is still APT-X HD and a transmitter function (to enjoy the sound on a headset as already mentioned), in addition to the receiver function (to access music stored on a compatible device, smartphone, tablet, game console, computer, etc.), is included. Finally, the Bluesound Node Nano also includes AirPlay 2, management of Amazon, Google and Siri voice assistants plus a beveled panel that accommodates touch control keys and quick access to presets, present at the front on the upper side of the Node Nano.
Bluesound Node Nano, universal network and wide connectivity££££
The Bluesound Node Nano's connectivity includes a stereo [abc]RCA[/abc] output, an [abc]optical[/abc], a [abc]coaxial[/abc], a [abc]Trigger[/abc] 12V Out jack (to simultaneously turn on the Node and the amplifier to which it is connected), a remote [abc]IR[/abc] input, a [abc]USB[/abc] Host 2.0 port and an [abc]Ethernet[/abc] port. Plus Wi-Fi 5 (ac) Dual Band.
Of course, the Bluesound Node Nano also lets you enjoy thousands of [abc]Webradios[/abc] or online Cloud music services such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, Deezer, etc. All from the free Android/iOS/Kindle BluOS Controller application with perfect ergonomics and a neat and very readable user interface.
Bluesound Node Nano, management of audio codecs££££
The management of audio codecs is still as broad, judge instead: [abc]MP3[/abc], [abc]AAC[/abc], [abc]WMA[/abc], WMA [abc]Lossless[/abc], [abc]Ogg[/abc], [abc]Flac[/abc], [abc]Alac[/abc], [abc] c]Wav[/abc] and AIFF are played without difficulty, in 16 bits or 24 bits, from 32 kHz to 192 kHz via 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz and 176.4 kilohertz.
Of course, like all Bluesound players, the Node Nano can connect wirelessly to suitable Bluesound speakers to create a multiroom system managed via BluOS. Management of Creston, Control4 or RTI protocols are on the menu.
Available immediately, in black finish. Recommended price: 349 euros.
Reminder of the key characteristics of the Bluesound Node Nano:
• Type: Network player/audio gateway
• Converter: ESS Sabre 192 kHz/24 bits
• Codec compatibility: [abc]MP3[/abc], [abc]WMA[/abc], [abc]AAC[/abc], [abc]Alac[/abc] (96/24), [abc]Flac[/abc] (192/24), [abc]AIFF[/abc] (192/24), [abc]Wav[/abc] (192/24)
• Music service compatibility: Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, Qobuz, webradios
• [abc]Hi-Res Audio[/abc] certification: yes
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 118 dB
• THD (total harmonic distortion): 0.0007%
• Input: 1 remote [abc]IR[/abc] input
• Outputs: one stereo [abc]RCA[/abc] output, one [abc]optical[/abc], one [abc]coaxial[/abc], one [abc]Trigger[/abc] 12V jack, one [abc]USB[/abc] Host 2.0 port and one [abc]Ethernet[/abc] port
• Other: detachable power cord
• Multiroom function: yes, BluOS
• Connectivity: [abc]Wi-Fi[/abc] 5 Dual Band, [abc]Bluetooth[/abc] 5.2 APT-X HD, [abc]AirPlay 2[/abc], port [abc]USB[/abc]-A, [abc]Ethernet[/abc]
port• Application: BluOS Controller
• Audio gateway function [abc]UPnP[/abc] ([abc]DLNA[/abc]): no
• Voice assistant: Works with Alexa, Works with Google Assistant, Works With Apple Homekit (Siri)