Bluesound Node Nano Wireless High Resolution Multi-Room Music Streamer

Bluesound’s recently released Node-Nano has become the perfect addition to my older high end audio system. As a Mac user I had been investigating how best to add its internet music services in a system lacking internet capability and the Node-Nano fits the bill. It makes use of Bluesound’s proprietary app BluOS to connect to either my iPhone, iPad and computer via Airplay 2 to receive and play lossless and hi-res audio from Apple Music and Apple Classic. It will work with many other internet music providers such as Spotify and Amazon although I limit my listening to Apple with its audiophile quality of music. I have no experience with other providers except Spotify which at its base subscription price offers lower quality audio. Because of limited listening time I’ve yet to take advantage of the thousands of available world wide internet radio stations which BluOS makes easy to access. Apple (per usual) is an exception to these other sources in not providing direct access to internet servers. Instead it uses Airplay-2 to connect between devices which has none of the limitations of Bluetooth transmission. The Node-Nano with BluOS (and I assume its Android and Linux versions) accepts Airplay-2 transmission as easily as direct internet sources and can be controlled by any wifi enabled device like my iPhone and iPad. How much easier can listening to high quality audio be!The Node-Nano isn’t the least expensive device that serves this purpose but is Bluesound’s latest addition to a highly regarded line of wireless servers. The setup was easy and with only a few minutes delay incorporated the latest software. Connected directly to my tubed preamplifier I found the sound from its internal DAC impressive but may if curiosity has its way evaluate use of an external DAC which this device allows. Many of its other impressive features including multiple room connectivity will remain untested for the time being.The Node-Nano has provided much pleasure and a great solution for unlimited listening enjoyment.

The Node Nano is easy to set up following the quick start guide and using the Bluesound iOS app. I have multiple products from Bluesound and they are high quality and sound great. This is no exception. In addition to using the BlueOS app, it is also Roon compatible, which fits into my Roon ecosystem.

Sounds really good. The quick start guide was less than worthy. Hook it up. Plug it in. login to the wifi. It took quite a while for the app to recognize the Nano and the recognize the wifi. I had trouble signing in to the streaming app, or so I thought. I would "login" and the login screen didn't change. I found I had to hit the backup arrow to open the streaming app. No mention of this anywhere. I had to find the online manual to figure what what all the status colors on the front of the Nano. The quick start guide just mentions "Green" when in fact there is a long list. The manual illustrations vary from the app screens. One size fits all "instructions".There is a paper list, or rather a novella, of terms and conditions included that are supposed to be read before the unit is to be started but a 5 page online "manual" couldn't be included in the box.

First I’d like to address some of the reviews about usb out not working or tidal having issues, the software being buggy, these issues are OPERATOR ERRORS. All this stuff works so well! I can’t imagine what they’re doing wrong, usb digital out works just fine, as does indexing a hard drive and playing my library. If you’re reading these reviews and being mislead by people spreading false information, you’re going to miss out on a great product. And I paid for mine with my hard earned money. Blue sound actually made me believe a streamer can be great! And it’s so easy to setup, that I just can’t imagine what they’re doing wrong, you seriously can’t try to do it wrong! Anyway, here’s some thoughts…This is perfect for someone that already has nice equipment and just needs a streamer. Some would argue that the wiim mini is just that, or any wiim especially pro/pro plus, since they cost less. They don’t have usb out, BluOS, among other things, nor do they feel as substantial, look as sleek and clean as the node nano or have the capability of serving as a dac near as well. Before you think the ultra at $30 more is the obvious choice, take a long hard look at the two. Do your research. Do you want analog inputs that digitize it and then convert it with the ultras internal dac? Even the phono input is digitized, kinda defeats the purpose. Now for a lot of people, these things may not matter and they just want convenience. But I just wanted a great streamer. It’s just a bonus that the nano happens to have a really nice internal dac, just in case something were to happen to my external dac(s). My audio setup is complete for the foreseeable future! I can’t express how impressed I am with this, I’d say give it a shot and you’ll see. I’m not an influencer or anything like that, I had all but figured a laptop would serve as my streaming device until I tried this vs the ultra, and this thing blew me away!! I even discovered that the BluOS controller app on a Chromebook of all things, worked, it actually didn’t resample the audio, like all android/chromeOS devices seem to do. The first time I got bit perfect from the Chromebook. IYKYK!P.S. I’d suggest buying somewhere else. Amazon has given me nothing but issues with audio equipment, I’ve been lied to, hung up on, I’ve ordered equipment like this that didn’t get packed in a box, they put a shipping label on the item and sent it that way. Then they’ll make you wait for the time it takes to send it back after you obviously need an exchange because the item is broken. Just happened to me with a dac the 1st week of December. If you’re buying audio equipment, you might consider somewhere more professional with some integrity and customer appreciation. Amazon does not care. I’ve spent several thousand on audio equipment just in the last 6 months let alone all time, and it still matters not. I can’t imagine certainly recommend the Nano, I’d just choose another place to order it. There’s plenty others. Thanks for reading. I hope those that have had issues finally figured out what they were doing wrong. This device deserves a much higher rating and some serious attention in the audio world!

Super easy install. Bluos app seems to be a work in progress. This device is an upgrade from a variety of inexpensive dacs in every way. Great soundstage. 👍. The instruments are in the right place, very clean, yet not harsh at all. I am very happy with the node nano.

Very good sounding streamer, if you don’t care about having a nice touch screen and some other fancy features and want to cut costs , bluesound node nano might be the answer, I don’t think you will find anything better sounding at this price point .

Super easy to set up. Sound quality is outstanding.

Very difficult to download Apple Music, but can be easily streamed using Airplay. The DAC is very good which makes the sound quality excellent.