The Sound
Contents
Bluesound PowerNode Edge
Bluesound has been around for more than a decade now. And in those years, the brand has – quite rightly – put itself on the map. Bluesound has even been embraced by other brands as an OEM platform.
The PowerNode Edge – N230 – delivers 2 x 40 watts into 8 Ohms and features numerous inputs, including bluetooth, hdmi-arc and optical / analog in via 3.5mm jack. A sub output is also available. The Bluesound can handle Airplay, Spotify and Tidal Connect.
Installation is easy: almost plug and play. We simply power the PowerNode and plug in a network cable. After opening the app, the app finds the streamer and we can begin the installation wizzard.
The only crazy thing is that when we set up Tidal and Qobuz through the App, it looks like the service is logged out. The translation is not correct there, which is very confusing.
The sound
The Bluesound PowerNode Edge has a fairly relaxed, soft sound. The stereo image is more of a stage than a bubble. That’s a NAD choice, since all NAD devices tend to present a podium image.
So the PowerNode plays generally relaxed. Energetic, dynamic or very exciting it is not if we are honest. Rhythmically it is very strong and the transient information is particularly good thanks to the Direct Digital technology. However. the PowerNode does not alway keep real grip on the Sonus Fabers. The Sonos Amp and WiiM really do that better. The result is that there is audible compression and sometimes even some roughness.
All in all, the PowerNode Edge is a nice device for 699 Euros (recommended retail price). However, we would no longer blindly recommend a Bluesound, given the competition out there now.
Sonos Amp
Sonos was synonymous with ease of use. Installing and using a Sonos was always flawless. Well… not anymore. What a drama the installation of this Sonos Amp was. The app kept crashing (tried three phones and a tablet … all Android though). After unplugging the Amp overnight, it worked. Thankfully.
However, even the app – as written before – is really not nice to use anymore. It’s just a mess (June 2024). We hope Sonos will fix this.
The specs are fine: 2 x 125 watts into 8 Ohm, hdmi-arc, analog in and a sub output. No digital in, unfortunately. Sonos can handle Airplay, Spotify and Tidal Connect.
Sound-wise, the Sonos Amp is certainly not bad. There is clearly more power available (2 x 125 watts into 8 Ohms) if we compare it to the Bluesound PowerNode Edge, WiiM and the Volumio Integro. This manifests itself in more grip. The bass is tighter. And the Sonos Amp maintains more grip in more complex pieces.
The mid/high and treble is not very refined. There we just hear some roughness. And across the board that gives some unrest. Also, sometimes it is just a bit dry and…. yes … boring to listen to.
This is very subjective, but during the live stream, your author and his colleague, Martijn, were – at exactly the same time – like: can we go on…? That’s not a good sign.
In the end, Sonos may be an established name and the 799 Euro AMP is a nice device. But it’s just not worth its premium anymore. There are better, more musical and user-friendly alternatives.
Volumio Integro
We previously tested the Volumio Integro. It’s a fairly pricey streaming amplifier at 899 Euro. That’s 200 Euro more than the Bluesound AND 100 Euro more than the Sonos. The question is: Is it worth the premium?
In terms of specs it is all fine: 2 x 50 watts in 8 Ohm, RCA analog in, 2x usb for data, hdmi (video only), optical in, coaxial in. And even a headphone output. So this is pretty good. Volumio can handle Airplay, Chromecast, Spotify and Tidal Connect.
So… it it worht the price? Yes and no. Yes, because the “playfulness” and looseness with which the Volumio Integro plays is striking when you put it next to competitors. It’s not subtle … the Volumio really plays looser and more playful (more musical?) than the Bluesound, Sonos and WiiM.
However, the Integro has an Achilles heel: there is no “grunt”. The Integro lacks pure power. As a result, it is extremely important what you combine this amplifier with.
With the Sonus Faber it goes well for the most part, but even there we sometimes hear that it becomes a bit lifeless and flat. And if we turn up the volume, noise is audible…. ouch. That is no longer necessary nowadays….
All in all, it is very unfortunate, because it can all play so nicely. We also know that it is not due to the amplifier chips, because they are the same as those of the Creek 4040A.
For 899 Euro you get a potentially very fine streamer-amplifier with the Volumio Integro. Be careful with matching, however: a hard speaker is not going to work on this Volumio. Something with high efficiency should do just fine.
WiiM Amp
We have arrived at the “hyped” WiiM Amp. A streamer amplifier based on a fairly recent chip from Texas (TPA 3255) that can deliver 60 watts into 8 Ohms. Just a bit more than the Integro.
In terms of connectivity, we see HDMI-Arc, optical in and rca-line input. We also see a sub-out and USB (data). There is, as a bonus, bluetooth. The WiiM also supports Airplay, Chromecast, UPnP, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect. Basically everything so… that’s good!
Soundwise, we hear a nicely balanced sound image. The midrange in particular is wonderfully clean and pleasant to follow. The treble is sometimes a bit on or over the edge in terms of balance, but this can be corrected with matching. The Lumina’s are not super neutral. With an Elac or Dali Oberon it is better balanced.
The low end is tight and nicely defined. We don’t hear very big differences from the rest of the field. The Sonos might have done a little better there…. but on average the WiiM is just better balanced and also nicer to listen to.
Rounding off
You read it right. A 349 Euro streamer that actually just takes home the win here. The cheapest of the four … and it’s also just soundwise, objectively better than the established ones. Yup… work to do for “the big boys!”.
Ha, just try the EC Play, Electrocompaniet app with own S2 / SA2 streamer / streamer + amp