Bluesound Node Nano player

Bluesound has enjoyed unprecedented and unrivalled success over the last 5 years with its Bluesound Node network player, which in its latest version is still the benchmark in terms of functionality and musicality. But in order to offer Bluesound quality to as many people as possible, the manufacturer is offering a more affordable product without making any concessions in terms of ergonomics and musical quality: the Bluesound Node Nano.

BLUESOUND NODE NANO : Housing and connections

The Bluesound Node Nano comes in the form of a small, square, matt black ‘box’ about fifteen centimetres square. The front panel is truncated, with a black lacquered panel incorporating 4 touch-sensitive buttons and a blue LED indicating status and also serving as preset buttons. The two buttons on the left can be used to assign presets, while the two buttons on the right control PLAY and PAUSE.
The blue LED also offers, depending on the colour (blue, white, red, flight) and flashing, a dozen or so Node Nano function states (power on, network connection, silent mode, reset, etc.).
On the back of the Bluesound Nano you'll find a comprehensive connection panel for a device in this range: two RCA analogue outputs (fixed or variable), an RCA SPDIF digital output, a Toslink optical digital output, an RJ45 LAN connection and a USB-A connection for connecting a USB stick or external hard drive. There's also an IR input and a Trigger Out in mini-jack format. Power is supplied via an external USB-C 5V box.
It should be noted that the Bluesound Node Nano has no headphone or subwoofer output. However, it is possible either to connect these elements to the amp or to use BT headphones and a Bluesound Pulse Sub+ wireless subwoofer.

BLUESOUND NODE NANO: Characteristics

The Bluesound Node Nano integrates the BluOS Controller operating system. This allows access to online music services, internet radio and your own music library stored on your computer, smartphone or external hard drive (such as a USB key).
This Bluesound Node Nano network player is equipped with one of the most powerful ARM® CORTEX™ processors: the A53, which runs at 1.8 GHz. Powerful and extremely fast, this high-end component of the computer industry is associated with a 32-384 kHz architecture oversampled 8 times!
The Bluesound Node Nano is equipped with an ESS SABRE® ESS ES9039Q2M digital-to-analogue converter at the cutting edge of the audiophile industry. It incorporates Hyperstream® IV technology for breathtaking dynamics and ultra-low distortion. The NODE supports audio up to 24-bit/192kHz.

BLUESOUND NODE NANO: COMPATIBILITY

Bluesound Node Nano gives you instant access to millions of tracks. It's fully compatible with many online and HD music services: TIDAL®, Spotify®, Rdio®, Qobuz® and many more.
This network player is also compatible with platforms featuring thousands of internet radio stations. You can also access your iTunes library or audio files downloaded and stored on your USB NAS, without having to turn on your computer. You can control your listening with the app for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire and for computers running Windows and MAC OS X.
Bluesound Node Nano is also compatible with MP3 and most other formats. But above all, it's a high-fidelity network player! It offers the possibility of playing audio formats in High-Definition.

BLUESOUND NODE NANO: INSTALLATION

Simply plug the Node Nano into your hi-fi or audio-video system. You can choose between analogue or digital outputs if you have an external converter (Dac).
You then need to connect it to the network via the RJ45 socket or via Wi-Fi. The Bluesound Node Nano allows you to use your home network wirelessly. It can also be connected via Bluetooth 5.2 APTX Adaptive (transmitter and transceiver).
The Wi-Fi antenna technology is highly advanced and the ARM Cortex processors are ultra-fast, guaranteeing seamless playback in every room of your home, even with audio files in HD format. You'll be able to synchronise music anywhere in your home with multiple Bluesound players, and choose different tracks in different locations.
The Node Nano can be linked to other Bluesound speakers in the home to create and enjoy an intuitive Multi-Room setup. The Node Nano network player can be controlled directly from your smartphone or computer, or via touch controls with presets.
All you have to do is download the BluOs application (iOS and Android) onto your smartphone or tablet.

FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Bluesound Node Nano network player

Which streaming services are compatible with the Node Nano?

It is compatible with most high-definition online music services: Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, Amazon Music, AirPlay 2 and Tidal Connect, as well as the main internet radio platforms, with direct access via the BluOS app on iOS and Android. The Bluesound Node Nano comes as a small matte-black square "box" about fifteen centimetres on each side. The blue LED also indicates, depending on the colour (blue, white, red) and the blinking pattern, around ten operating states of the Node Nano (power-on, network connection, silent mode, reset, and so on). Note that the Bluesound Node Nano leaves out the headphone output and the subwoofer output.

What outputs are available to connect it to my amp?

The rear panel offers two analogue RCA outputs (fixed or variable), an S/PDIF digital output on RCA, a Toslink optical output, an RJ45 LAN input and a USB-A port to connect a USB stick or an external hard drive. It does not, however, have a dedicated headphone output or subwoofer output. Bluesound has enjoyed unprecedented, unrivalled success over the past 5 years with its Bluesound Node network player, which in its latest version still remains the benchmark in terms of features and musicality. But to bring Bluesound quality to as many people as possible, the maker offers a more affordable product without compromising on ergonomics or musical quality: the Bluesound Node Nano.

Which DAC does this network player use and what audio resolution does it support?

It includes an ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M converter with Hyperstream IV technology, paired with a 1.8 GHz ARM Cortex A53 processor, which lets it handle audio up to 24-bit/192 kHz with high dynamics and ultra-low distortion. This Bluesound Node Nano network player is fitted with one of the most powerful ARM Cortex processors: the A53, running at 1.8 GHz. This network player is also compatible with platforms bringing together thousands of internet radio stations. But above all it is a Hi-Fi network player.

How does it stand against the standard Bluesound Node?

The Node Nano carries over the essence of the Node experience in a more compact, more affordable format, without sacrificing ergonomics or musicality according to our tests: its sound even seemed very close to us, in some respects comparable to the Node 2 in precision and dynamics, while remaining significantly cheaper. The Bluesound Node Nano runs the BluOS Controller operating system. The Bluesound Node Nano features an ESS SABRE ES9039Q2M digital-to-analog converter at the cutting edge of the audiophile industry. The Bluesound Node Nano gives instant access to millions of tracks.