Back at the start of this year, I reviewed the excellent BlueSound Node 2, a superb little piece of kit that can turn any old-school audio system into a digital music center that can bring virtually any classic hi-fi setup into the 21st century.
However, at the time, I had one major criticism and that was the absence of Apple’s AirPlay streaming protocol, which enables the wireless transmission of high-quality audio from any iOS app. Well, as from today, that’s no longer a problem as Bluesound has now added Apple’s AirPlay 2 via a firmware update to its latest Node 2i streamer. It can even apply multiroom AirPlay 2 functionality to older Bluesound devices via the BluOS Controller app.
So here’s my take on the brand-new Bluesound Node 2i and why it’s a sensible investment for anyone wishing to add digital capability to their beloved classic stereo system.
The latest audio systems may have all the latest digital bells and whistles, but an older piece of vintage audio can often possess superb audio characteristics but lack newer features, such as onboard DACs or wireless networking capabilities.
Take my own audio system, for example. I have a classic Linn WK140 power amplifier and a Linn Wakonda preamplifier in my main living room. It sounds superb despite being nearly 20 years old. However, it has no built-in DAC and neither is there any possibility of hooking it up to a home network in order to play digital files from NAS storage, a USB stick or even streaming services like Tidal or Spotify.
This particular system sounds great but it does mean I’m limited to listening to music from vinyl, CDs and FM broadcasts. Streaming music or playing tracks from my iPhone or via a Tidal account simply isn’t possible without investing in some newer kit. Now, bearing in mind I don’t want to ditch my lovely vintage amplifier, how can I get into the digital age?
My conundrum could be solved by the Bluesound Node 2i. It’s a small box of tricks that connects to a classic amplifier via a pair of traditional RCA phono cables. The Node 2i is about the size of a very plump iPad Mini with an inset cluster of touch controls on its top. The Node 2i can join a home network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and it can be controlled via Bluesound’s BluOS Controller app that’s available for iOS or Android.
Included in the BluOS Controller is access to a whole range of popular streaming services including Spotify, Amazon, Deezer and Tidal, as well as quite a few others. Additionally, the app can stream music files stored on a smartphone, a local network or directly from an attached USB hard disc or a solid-state drive. Additionally, it’s now possible to stream any content using an iOS or Mac OS device to multiple rooms around the home because Bluesound’s Node 2i is now fully compatible with Apple’s AirPlay 2 protocol, the latest multiroom streaming solution from those nice people at Cupertino.
Finally, there’s a Bluetooth function included in the Node 2i that enables the streaming of any Bluetooth-enabled device with support for the latest Qualcomm apt-X HD codec. As yet, there’s no support for Google Chromecast, but I’m not sure that’s really a deal breaker. As far as digital files go, the Bluesound Node 2i can handle virtually any format, including native playback of MQA-encoded files.
Setting up the Node 2i is a breeze. Just download the BluOS Controller app for iOS or Google. Then attach the Node 2i to the auxiliary input of a pre- or power amp using a high-quality pair of RCA Phono interconnects. Using the BluOS Controller app it’s possible to set up the Node 2i as a fixed-output device for hooking up to a preamplifier, or else it can be set to variable output for use with a power amplifier.
Next, it’s necessary to enable Bluetooth on the smartphone in order to connect to a wireless network. The app is used to select the home Wi-Fi network and then it’s just a case of typing in the router’s wireless password and the job’s done. Every time the Node 2i is switched on it connects automatically to the Wi-Fi network without any fuss. There’s no power switch on the Node 2i so it’s probably best to leave it turned on all the time.
At the rear of the Node 2i, there are plenty of outputs that offer connections to just about any audio device imaginable. Starting at the rear on the left there’s a pair of classic RCA Phono stereo outputs that provide the main connection to an amplifier or preamplifier. Next, there’s a Subwoofer output for linking up to an active subwoofer, for extra bass oomph if wanted. Alongside, there’s a coaxial digital output for connecting to an alternative DAC that gives the option of bypassing the Node 2i’s built-in DAC chip.
Next, to the coaxial output, there’s a full-size TOSlink optical output that offers the possibility of linking to a digital amplifier or even a TV soundbar.
Next, we come to the input section, and first up is a 3.5mm analog stereo input that also doubles as a mini TOSLink optical port which can be used to hook up something like an older CD deck, a digital radio tuner or an analog device like a tape player. The advantage of having an optical input is that an old CD player’s transport mechanism can be used to play CDs while taking advantage of the much newer DAC inside the Bluesound Node 2i.
Alongside the 3.5mm/optical port there’s a 3.5mm trigger output socket that provides a 12v signal for use with compatible devices that support a trigger port. Next to that is an infrared extension input for use with an external infrared remote control sensor. That could be useful if the Node 2i is tucked away in a cupboard somewhere but you still want to use the Node 2i’s remote control function. The Node 2i can learn commands from a favorite remote control. There’s no remote bundled with the Node 2i.
At the rear, there’s also an Ethernet port for those wishing wish to use a wired network instead of Wi-Fi. Beneath that is a USB B port that can be used to hook up a hard disc or a USB thumb drive with music files on it. As far as inputs and outputs go there’s virtually everything one could possibly need as well as the potential to future-proof the whole setup by employing external DACs.
At the front of the Node 2i, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack for plugging in a pair of headphones for listening to music without firing up the whole sound system. That’s ideal for late-night listening and the quality of the headphone output stage is superb, it will even drive the most demanding pair of headphones and there’s an option to transmit the audio to a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones using apt-X HD codec. This is a really nice touch and I hope many others start to include a Bluetooth transmit function now that wireless headphones are so popular.
On top of the Node 2i there’s a cluster of touch-sensitive and illuminated controls that provide volume adjustment, skip, repeat, pause and play functions things can be controlled without using a remote control or the BluOS Controller app.
As soon as I’d connected the Bluesound Node 2i up to my home Wi-Fi, the unit checked online for the latest firmware and installed that for me. It was totally painless and took just a few minutes. Within no time I was exploring the possibilities of this amazing little device. Using the BluOS Controller app I was able to add my favorite streaming service, as well as being able to access all the music files stored on my iPhone’s iTunes app. It was all quite seamless and there are plenty of options to customize everything to individual tastes.
I opted to hook up my old but trusty Arcam CD player using the mini TOSlink input and I was surprised at how much difference the Node 2i’s DAC made to the sound of my CD deck. Inside the Bluesound Node 2, there’s a Burr Brown DAC (although it’s known as Texas Instruments these days) and, as you might expect from such heritage, the sound is gorgeously warm and rounded but with a really wide and open soundstage that lets the music breathe easily. The sound from the Node 2i is one of the most listenable I’ve heard in quite a while. It just goes to prove that digital music really can sound warm and open if you use the right DAC.
The BluOS Controller app works very well and, apart from the occasional lag in updating the album artwork, a fault that I find common on many streaming apps, it’s a very stable piece of software and a genuine pleasure to use. The quality of the Bluetooth is exceptional and supports the latest Hi-Res apt-X HD codec form Qualcomm, which is yet another major improvement over the original Bluesound Node 2 that I reviewed.
Verdict: Of all the streaming devices I’ve tried, the Bluesound Node 2i genuinely pleases my ears the best and would enable me to keep on enjoying music on my classic Linn setup. The device is beautifully designed, extremely well built and endlessly versatile. It’s available in white or black finishes and looks every bit as good as it sounds. The Node 2i can work with other Bluesound products to create a multiroom audio system or it can fit into any Apple AirPlay 2 setup. As an alternative to a full-size streaming component, the Bluesound Node 2i is ideal and works well with the BluOS Controller app. The quality of the audio is superb and genuine hi-fi quality. If you’re looking for a way to upgrade a classic nondigital audio system, the Bluesound Node 2i is the only game in town, especially now that it supports Apple’s AirPlay 2 and the latest apt-X HD Bluetooth codec. Thoroughly recommended.
Prices: £499 / €549 / $499
More info: https://www.bluesound.com/products/node-2i/
Specifications
- Supported File Formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, WMA-L, ALAC, OPUS
- Hi-Res formats: FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF
- Native Sampling Rates: 32 – 192 kHz
- Bit Depths: 16 – 24
- Performance
- SNR: -110dBA
- Distortion: THD+N – 0.005%
- DAC: 32-Bit, 192kHz
- Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP, 2000, Vista 7-10, Apple Mac 7-10
- Internet Radio: TuneIn Radio, iHeartRadio, Calm Radio, Radio Paradise, Slacker Radio
- Supported Cloud Services: Spotify, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer, Qobuz, HighResAudio, Murfie, JUKE, Napster, KKBox, Bugs, Taihe Music ZONE, SoundMachine.
- Integration Partners: Control4, RTI, Crestron, URC, push, iPort, ELAN, Lutron, roon, Amazon Alexa Skills*, AirPlay 2*
- Album Art: JPG
Connectivity
- Network: Gigabit Ethernet RJ45
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac, dual-band)
- USB
- 1 x Type-A port for connection to USB memory sticks (Fat32 or NTFS formatted) and supported peripherals
1 x Type-B (mini) for product servicing - Audio Input
- Combo – TOSLINK / 3.5mm
- Audio Output
- Analog RCA Stereo with FIXED option
- Coaxial RCA
- TOSLINK digital optical
- Headphone 3.5mm Stereo
- Subwoofer RCA
- 12 Volt trigger out
- Bluetooth: V 5.0 aptX HD wireless built-in
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Two-Way (transmit & receive)
- Power: Universal bi-pin AC Cord input (100 – 240AC)User Interface
- Mobile Operating System: BluOS – Free Android and iOS App Available Online at Google Play and Apple App Store
- Pushbuttons: Simple top-panel touch controls.
- Control IR Sensor built-in – Front panelGeneral
- Processor: ARM®CORTEX™ A9, 1 GHz
- Unit Weight: 12 kg / 2.45 lbs
- Gross Dimensions: 220 x 46 x 146 mm / 7 x 1.8 x 5.7 in
- Power Consumption (Idle): 6 Watts
- Accessories: 2x AC power cords (Europe & North America), Ethernet Cable, Stereo RCA to RCA Cable, TOSLINK Optical to 3.5mm Mini Adaptor
- Finishes: White or Black Matte
