Bluesound Node X
Contents
Bluesound is really a solid name when it comes to streaming audio. The brand has built an incredibly good name in ten years (deservedly so), which is incredibly impressive. Few brands will be able to do that.
Now, we’ve been fans of the Canadian brand for years. The Node 1 runs at your author’s home in the kitchen. The Node 2i for years in the study. All without a hitch. Updates work, the app is fine, Roon works flawlessly…. it’s almost – or entirely – an “Apple Experience,” to make a silly comparison.
What makes many people happy with Bluesound is that the ecosystem is very complete. There is a nice app, it is Roon compatible, there are lots of products ánd there is an upgrade path. After all, NAD also supplies BluOS streamers. And now a few other brands. In short: you can go either way without stepping out of the system
The sound
With the Node X, a “better” version of the NODE has arrived. For an extra 150 euros, you get a better sound and a few accessories. However, with a price tag of 799 euros, the Node X does find itself in a different class. The class we looked at and listened to
To be honest: where the NODE is a no-brainer in its class, the Node X doesn’t quite come along. The JBL MP350 may be $100 more expensive; it plays more playfully and smoothly. The Volumio Primo ditto…. looser, smoother… So is the Eversolo. And later we hear from the IFI Neo Stream that it also paints a more complete picture. SOund-wise, this is a tough battle for the Bluesound.
However, the Node X offers without a doubt the most complete ecosystem. And that was probably the goal of the Canadians.
Measurements Bluesound Node X
The Bluesound Node X measures somewhat inconsistently we find. Noise is neat up to 20 kHz, but after that it rises (as with the Volumio Primo, by the way). Dynamic range is a bit moderate for this price range at 106dB (17.7 bits). We see a similar jitter pattern as with the Eversolo (Perhaps an ESS 9028Q2M / 9038Q2M thingy?). It’s within limits, but could also be a bit cleaner. Streaming via wifi or lan doesn’t matter much, which is nice to know.
As mentioned in the full review of the Bluesound Node X as well as the livestream review, Bluesound, in our estimation, is not concerned with audiophile performance. It has a customer in mind who is looking for a solution: a nice, stable ecosystem. No fidling: just music. And they do that very well. Price-wise, however, the “regular” Bluesound Node is a better choice. For 799 euros there are competitors that sound and measure better.
Specifications Bluesound Node X
| Model and type | Bluesound Node X |
| DAC Chip | ESS Sabre 9028Q2M |
| Outputs | Single Ended analog Headphone Sub digital out (coax optical) |
| Digital In | Optical (combo jack), HDMI ARC, LAN, Wifi, Bluetooth |
| Analog in | Mini jack (combi) |
| Own App | Yes, BluOS |
| Pre-amp | Yes, digital |
| Price | 799 |
Ifi Neo stream , the optical network connection generates more noise!!!! How is that possible?
The optical should disappear noise not introduce it? Why didn’t you try with a better power supply?
Kind of ironic that an iFi product introduces noise with a supplied power supply, don’t you think?
Question, what are your settings for the dScope III? I typically use 100K input impedance, sample rate 192K, 32K FFT Prism-7 window and average over 8 samples. Your low end measurements look a little off. One thing you also have to remember is the VBUS/GND is tied to the internal supply and therefore you can get ground loops really easy when testing.
Thanks,
Gordon
Interesting test! Thank you. Going above 1000 eur by a coupld hundred the Eversolo Master version should do even better on the jitter front due to the femto clock and op amps. Would be interesting to measuer that one also.