Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Bluesound gives its Node streamer a new DAC/headphone amp for its 10th birthday

Bluesound Node X with headphones.
Bluesound

It has been 10 years since Bluesound debuted its Node wireless media streamer and to commemorate that event, the company has decided to release a limited-run anniversary edition of the device, known appropriately as the Node X. It looks almost identical to the regular Node, but headphone addicts will be quick to note the one difference: the Node’s 3.5mm headphone jack has been swapped with a quarter-inch output. And if you suspect that change is more than just about accommodating a larger plug, you’re right.

Bluesound says that the centrally-mounted headphone jack is powered by a THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier (AAA) — the same technology found in the $200 THX Onyx headphone DAC/amp — “with patented feed-forward error correction resulting in infinitesimally low levels of noise, distortion, and power consumption.”

Bluesound Node X seen from the front.
Bluesound

Feeding that amp (and the RCA analog outputs) is a new digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The ESS 9028Q2M Sabre DAC replaces the Node’s Texas Instruments / Burr Brown PCM 5242 DAC. Bluesound claims the ESS DAC is a favorite of audiophiles for its “amazing musicality, near-zero levels of clock jitter, ultra-low noise, and a wide dynamic range.”

Finally, Bluesound is also throwing in an RC1 remote to control the Node X, an accessory that normally costs $59 extra.

Bluesound Node X rear panel.
Bluesound

Otherwise, the Node X has the same capabilities as its sibling:

  • Two-way Bluetooth with aptX HD for streaming to wireless headphones or from a compatible smartphone
  • HDMI eARC, optical and analog inputs
  • Stereo analog output
  • Optical, coaxial, and USB audio outputs
  • BluOS wireless multi-room software compatible
  • MQA and hi-res audio support, up to 24-bit/192kHz
  • AirPlay 2
  • Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi, gigabit Ethernet
  • IR remote learning capability
  • IR input
  • 12V trigger output
  • Wired and wireless subwoofer outputs

The Node X costs $749 — a $150 premium on the price of the $599 Node. Still, if you’re a fan of wirelessly streaming hi-res audio via headphones or powered speakers, and with the ability to do multiroom audio with Bluesound’s many other wireless speakers and soundbars, the higher price might be easily justified by the extra goodies Bluesound has included.

Editors' Recommendations

Simon Cohen
Contributing Editor, A/V
Simon Cohen covers a variety of consumer technologies, but has a special interest in audio and video products, like…
This 65-inch Samsung 4K TV is $220 off at Best Buy
The Samsung 70-inch Class 7 Series 4K TV in a living room.

Consistently the home of excellent TV deals, Best Buy has a great one right now if you're happy with sticking with conventional 4K. Today, you can buy the Samsung 65-inch TU690T 4K TV for $450 instead of $670. A substantial saving of $220, this is a great way to gain the benefits of a large-screen TV while enjoying the benefits that come from a well-established TV brand. Interested to know more? Keep reading. Otherwise, if you already know this is the one for you, tap the buy button below.

Why you should buy the Samsung 65-inch TU690T 4K TV
As one of the best TV brands around, it's always worth considering buying a Samsung TV. In the case of this Samsung 65-inch TU690T 4K TV, while the best TVs may have moved onto OLED or QLED technology, this is still a very fine example of 4K.

Read more
Amazon’s Memorial Day sale drops the price of these AirPods to $99
Airpods 2

If you're browsing through headphone deals in search for affordable wireless earbuds, you should check out Amazon's offer for the second-generation Apple AirPods. They're part of the retailer's Memorial Day sale with a $30 discount that drops their price to $99 from $129 originally. There's still some time until the holiday, but it's not recommended to wait for it before you make your purchase because stocks may be gone by then. Buy the second-generation Apple AirPods now if you want to get them for less than $100.

Why you should buy the Apple AirPods
The second-generation Apple AirPods have since been overshadowed by their successor, the third-generation Apple AirPods, and the more advanced second-generation Apple AirPods Pro. However, they remain a worthwhile purchase, especially for iPhone owners. Setting up the AirPods 2 is extremely easy -- you just need to open their case, hold them near your iPhone, and they will automatically get paired. The next time that you take them out of their case, they'll instantly connect with your iPhone. The wireless earbuds are compatible with Android smartphones and other Bluetooth devices though, though you'll miss out on certain features like hands-free access to Apple's Siri.

Read more
Get a free Fire TV Stick and $10 off your first month of Sling TV
Sling TV app icon on Apple TV.

If you've decided to ditch your cable box, but you still want access to live TV, one of the simplest, cheapest, and most convenient options is Sling TV. There are several different Sling TV deals going on right now. You can either get $10 off your first month, a free month of the News add-on, or a free month of the Showtime, MGM+, and AMC+ add-on. No matter which of those deals you choose, you're guaranteed a free Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite, which will help you cast Sling straight to your TV.

Why you should get a Sling TV subscription
Sling TV is one of the more popular streaming subscription services, and we feel it’s one of the best live TV streaming services you can get access to. It keeps things simple with its user interface, and it visually resembles something you’re familiar with if you’re coming from a cable subscription. Sling offers two base subscription plans, each of which offers a huge variety of channels that include the likes of ESPN, TBS, TNT, Comedy Central, and Fox Sports One. Sling TV also includes DVR accessibility with its plans, so you can save certain shows, movies, or sports events for watching at a later time.

Read more