Bluesound Node Nano Review: The Ultimate Budget Streamer?

Bluesound Node Nano Review: TL;DR

The Bluesound NODE NANO ($349) is a compact yet refined streaming solution that provides a premium BluOS audiophile experience at a lower price. However, there are other options available that sound nearly as good and offer similar (or even more) features for less money.

Intro

Bluesound, a brand recognized for its high-fidelity multi-room audio systems, has expanded its NODE series with the introduction of the NODE NANO. This ultra-compact streamer is designed to deliver the brand’s renowned audio quality and integration with the BluOS ecosystem, all while occupying a smaller space and being more budget-friendly.

Bluesound appears to be positioning the NODE NANO, priced at $349, as a bridge between their previous entry-level full-featured streamer, the $649 NODE, and the more affordable streamers from Wiim, which start around $200. The NODE NANO directly competes price-wise with Wiim’s top-tier Ultra Streamer, which offers premium features such as a full-color touchscreen, a headphone jack, and preamp functionality.

It also competes feature-wise with the Wiim Pro Plus streamer which costs over a hundred dollars less. However, Bluesound aims to set itself apart with more advanced software, superior audio processing, and specialized features like two-way Bluetooth.

The key question is whether the NODE NANO offers the performance and functionality necessary to compete in the lower end of the music streamer market. Let’s explore this to find out!

Price

The Bluesound NODE NANO is available now for $349 in the United States. This positions it at the top end of the affordable streamer market above the Wiim Pro Plus streamer that sells for $219 and has similar features. It also puts it in the price range of the highly rated WiiM Ultra streamer which has a lot more features on paper.

While the price might seem steep compared to the competition, it reflects the advanced technology and feature set represented by the BluOS software and Bluesound’s highly regarded audio tuning. Compared to other Bluesound products and high-end streamers, the NANO offers a more accessible entry point into the brand’s ecosystem, albeit with a focus on its small form factor.

Design & Build

The NODE NANO exemplifies minimalist design with its compact dimensions of 5.6 x 1.4 x 5.6 in (W x H x D), making it significantly smaller than its larger NODE counterpart. The device boasts a sleek matte black finish that conveys a sense of understated elegance. Its build quality is impressive, featuring a sturdy plastic chassis that feels durable, despite its lightweight nature. BTW, it also has mounting holes on the bottom, making it easy to hang on the wall.

As one may anticipate, the front panel is relatively clean, featuring only a status LED indicator, a play/pause button, volume controls, and two preset buttons which are all backlit. Just like the larger NODE, physical controls are minimal, relying primarily on the BluOS app for operation.

The BluOS app, available on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS, is a key part of the Bluesound experience. It is comprehensive, allowing users to fully control streaming services, multi-room setups, and device settings. The app features a clean and well-organized interface; however, first-time users might find it somewhat complex to navigate, presenting a bit of a learning curve. Additionally, it lacks support for Chromecast and DLNA, but these omissions are not major drawbacks.

The back panel of the NODE NANO comes with the most necessary of connection options and that’s about it. Unlike the step-up NODE model, you won’t find an HDMI eARC port for the highest-quality TV audio or A/V inputs for playback of external sources. The aforementioned (cheaper) WiiM Pro Plus streamer doesn’t have HDMI either, but it has both digital and analog inputs. The WiiM Ultra streamer which costs about the same as the NANO, has both HDMI and audio inputs.

That said, there is an analog RCA stereo output for hooking up amplifiers or powered speakers. Additionally, if you’re looking to connect to an external DAC, the two digital outputs (optical and coax) have you covered. There’s also a USB input for playing music from an external drive and an Ethernet port for a wired network connection. The latter will come in handy if you’re having issues with Wi-Fi.

Bluesound NODE NANO Review: Tech Specs

Sources: AirPlay 2, Bluetooth 5.0 (aptX HD), Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Internet Radio, Local Network Music

Network: Dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet

Inputs: USB

Outputs: Analog RCA Stereo, Digital Optical/Coax

Headphone output: No

Max file resolution: Up to 24-bit/192kHz

Dimensions (hwd): 5.6 x 1.4 x 5.6 in

Weight: 0.57kg / 1.26lbs

Bluesound Node Nano Review: Features

The NODE NANO’s wireless functionality is robust, featuring dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet for stable network connectivity and Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD support for high-quality wireless audio streaming. The inclusion of AirPlay 2 further enhances its versatility.

The BluOS platform has been around for a while and is quite stable, offering multi-room audio capabilities. Users can effortlessly stream music to multiple Bluesound devices throughout their home, creating a synchronized audio experience. The platform supports a wide range of streaming services, including Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and Deezer, as well as internet radio and local network music playback.

Internally, the NODE NANO is equipped with a high-performance ESS chip-based DAC capable of handling high-resolution audio files up to 24-bit/192kHz. This ensures that users can enjoy their music in pristine quality, with exceptional detail and clarity.

Sound

Despite its compact size, the NODE NANO delivers an impressive audio performance that belies its diminutive stature. The sound is characterized by a clean, detailed, and balanced presentation. High-resolution audio files are reproduced with exceptional clarity, revealing subtle nuances and details that are often lost in lower-quality streamers.

The soundstage doesn’t seem very wide, but it is well-defined, allowing instruments and vocals to be positioned accurately. The dynamics are just so-so, with a slight lack of the immediacy and impact you get from the more expensive NODE streamer. That said there is some good depth in the presentation which is the strong point of this player.

The NODE NANO has a smoother, more laid-back sound that allows you to sit back and hear “into” your music, as opposed to a streamer like the WiiM Pro Plus, which sounds a little sharper, livelier, and “in your face”. The WiiM puts a little more of its personality into your system, which some may like better depending on their preference and system characteristics. I prefer the latter, as I feel it will blend better with more systems, and allow the rest of your system to shine more.

As far as Bluetooth is concerned, the aptX Adaptive codec provides an opportunity for high-quality quick listening sessions. While the resolution is lower than the Wi-Fi presentation, it’s still engaging enough and has enough separation to provide the necessary musical cues.

When used as a multi-room streamer, the NODE NANO maintains its audio quality across different zones. The BluOS platform ensures seamless synchronization and consistent performance, allowing users to enjoy their music throughout their homes without any noticeable degradation in sound quality.

Bluesound Node Nano Review: Verdict

The Bluesound NODE NANO is a high-quality music streamer that makes audiophile-grade BluOS hardware accessible to all. It delivers an exceptional streaming experience with refined audio quality, essential features, and seamless multi-room capabilities, all within a compact design.

The NODE NANO is priced at a premium compared to competitors like the WiiM Pro Plus, which offers similar functionality for about $100 less. The $219 WiiM Pro Plus includes features such as DLNA, Chromecast, and audio inputs. However, the NODE NANO offers superior Bluetooth capabilities and a USB input for connecting an external drive, which may be deciding factors for some users.

Ultimately, when evaluating a streamer, the key factors come down to sound quality and software performance. I find that the NANO offers a more refined sound overall, even though it may not possess the scale and dynamics of its WiiM competitor. I prefer a source that sounds natural and focuses more on resolution and depth than richness, which is something the Bluesound product excels at. Additionally, I believe the BluOS software and hardware are a bit more mature than the WiiM alternative, resulting in a smoother experience with fewer glitches.

To further muddy the water, WiiM offers the $329 Wiim Ultra streamer which is right around the same price as the NANO but offers a lot more on paper. With the Ultra, you get a full-color touchscreen, preamp functionality with a ton of inputs and outputs, and a remote, but again the Bluesound edges it out in sound quality.

In summary, I recommend the NANO for anyone looking for a straightforward music streamer that delivers top-notch sound quality for around $300. If you require additional features or are on a tight budget, consider one of the WiiM streamers, which also offer good sound quality.

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