The Bluesound Node Icon is therefore the flagship of the manufacturer Bluesound. As such, it is much more imposing than the Bluesound Node Nano and Bluesound Node 2024. Wider, thicker, it is built from an aluminum chassis and sports a beautiful facade capable of accommodating in its center a superb 5'' (12.7 cm) color screen for a magnificent overall look.
Bluesound Node Icon, opening onto the dematerialized sound universe££££
As a reminder, the Node Icon allows an easy upgrade of any slightly vintage audio system based on exclusively physical content (vinyls, K7s, [abc]Audio CDs[/abc]) to directly access the world of dematerialized music. Similarly, like the Bluesound Node Nano and the Bluesound Node 2024, the Bluesound Icon 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 Icon, main specifications££££
A major change in the new Bluesound Node network players, including the Icon, is the presence of two ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M 768 kHz/32-bit two-channel digital-to-analog converters (DACs) (compared to a TI 384 kHz/32-bit model previously), in Dual Mono configuration. 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 Icon also includes AirPlay 2, management of Amazon, Google and Siri voice assistants plus touch control keys and quick access to presets on its upper face.
The Bluesound Node Icon manages [abc]DSD[/abc] files (without [abc]Firmware[/abc] updates). The same goes for THX AAA Headphone Technology compatibility for enhanced headphone sound linearity (noise and distortion reduction). Other new features include the optional Dirac Live feature for perfect acoustic correction (microphone marketed by Bluesound) and Qrono d2a compatibility from MQA Laboratories (now owned by Bluesound) responsible for correcting synchronization errors in the digital-to-analog conversion process.
Another specific feature of the Bluesound Node Icon is the presence of a very high-quality ESS Sabre ES9826 analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to perfectly connect and manage analog sources, without additional noise and/or distortion.
Bluesound Node Icon, universal network and wide connectivity££££
The connectivity of the Bluesound Node Icon of course takes over all that of the Node 2024, namely an [abc]HDMI[/abc] [abc]eARC[/abc] output, a stereo [abc]RCA[/abc], a subwoofer output, an [abc]optical[/abc], a [abc]coaxial[/abc], two 6.3 mm Jack headphone outputs, a [abc]Trigger[/abc] 12V Out socket (to simultaneously switch on the Node and the amplifier to which it is connected), a remote [abc]IR[/abc] input, a combined analog input on 3.5 mm stereo/optical mini-Jack (adapter supplied), a [abc]USB[/abc] Host 2.0 port and an [abc]Ethernet[/abc] port. Status and equipment oblige, the Bluesound Node Icon also has a stereo [abc]XLR[/abc] output, a second stereo RCA output, a second optical output and a USB-C input to directly connect a computer. Plus, always, the Wi-Fi 5 (ac) Dual Band.
Of course, the Bluesound Node Icon also allows you to enjoy several thousand [abc]Webradios[/abc] or online Cloud music services such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify, Deezer… All from the free Android/iOS/Kindle BluOS Controller application with perfect ergonomics and offering a neat and very readable user interface.
Bluesound Node Icon, audio codec management££££
In addition to DSD, the management of audio codecs is still as broad as ever, judge for yourself: [abc]MP3[/abc], [abc]AAC[/abc], [abc]WMA[/abc], WMA [abc]Lossless[/abc], [abc]Ogg[/abc], [abc]Flac[/abc], [abc]Alac[/abc], [abc]Wav[/abc] and AIFF are read without difficulty, in 16 bits or 24 bits, from 32 kHz up 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 Icon can connect wirelessly to suitable Bluesound speakers to create a multi-room system managed via BluOS. Management of Creston, Control4 or RTI protocols are all on the menu.
The word to Morten Nielsen, Bluesound Product Manager££££
“The Node Icon represents a new height in wireless streaming, designed for those who demand nothing but the best for their music,†said Morten Nielsen, Associate Product Manager at Bluesound. “Every aspect of its design has been crafted to perfection, from the revolutionary Dual-Mono DAC design with ESS Sabre technology that delivers unmatched sound clarity, to its beautiful aluminum chassis and 5-inch color display. The Node Icon is not just a streamer: it redefines stereo components for the next generation of Hi-Fi streaming.
Availability announced for November 15, in black finish. Recommended price: 1,099 euros.
Reminder of the key features of the Bluesound Node Icon:
• Type: Network player/audio gateway
• Converter: 2 x ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M 768 kHz/32 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) and [abc]Wav[/abc] (192/24)
• Music service compatibility: Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, Qobuz, webradios
• [abc]DSD[/abc] compatibility: yes
• [abc]Hi-Res Audio[/abc] certification: yes
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: nc
• THD (total harmonic distortion): nc
• Input(s): one remote [abc]IR[/abc] input, one combined analog input on 3.5 mm stereo/optical mini-jack (adapter supplied), one [abc]USB[/abc] Host 2.0 port, one [abc]Ethernet[/abc] port and one USB-C input to directly connect a computer
• Output(s): 2 [abc]optical[/abc], 2 stereo [abc]RCA[/abc], 1 [abc]coaxial[/abc], 1 subwoofer, one [abc]Trigger[/abc] 12V jack (to simultaneously turn on the Node and the amplifier to which it is connected) and one stereo output [abc]XLR[/abc]
• Other(s): detachable power cord
• Multiroom function: yes, BluOS
• Connectivity: [abc]Wi-Fi[/abc] 5, [abc]Bluetooth[/abc] 5.2 APT-X HD, [abc]AirPlay 2[/abc]
• Application: BluOS Controller
• Audio gateway function [abc]UPnP [/abc] ([abc]DLNA[/abc]): no
• Voice assistant: Works with Alexa, Works with the Google Assistant, Works With Apple Homekit (Siri)
