Those XLR/RCA outputs operate simultaneously to connect a sub with SE L/R RCA inputs instead of using the Sub output to the LFE In of said sub? SVS have already DSP low pass filter on their subs and their SE RCA outputs are thruputs to a power amp… Also, is the HDMI eARC cast a duplicate image of the Icon display to the tv when connected this way…? 🤔
One question here... Having the Icon connected to TV via. eARC (HDMI), will it push the now playing album art to the TV? (Example: I'm streaming music via Tidal to Bluesound Icon, sound goes to external amplifier and the album art is show on my TV (eARC connected to Icon). Could it work like this? Any chance to test?
I used Blu OS since 2015 with different devices and was more or less satisfied with the software. But that changed in the last 2,5 years when some problems showed up. First Problem was that I can't create a BluOS playlist anymore because the icon to do that is not displayed in the App anymore. I can only save titles in playlists on theQobuz or Tidal Accounts. Then after the Update to BluOS 4 the possibility to search titles which are played on TuneIn in Qobuz or Tidal isn't present anymore. The 3point menue at the side of the shown title now does not display the icon to do the search. The support cannot give me an answer if this functionality is gone forever. All in all the support isn't a thing Bluesound can be proud of 😢.
Sorry to hear this! Did you get any of your Bluesound components here? If so, please call our Tech Support for help. Their direct number is on your invoice.
I like the Bluesound node, I’ll stay with my older model. I basically use it in a spare room hooked up to a Denon pre amp. I use it to get internet radio stations through the system.
The Bluesound Node is an excellent choice, with either generation of Node products. I am happy to hear that yours is working for you with your Denon and you are enjoying it!
Yes, it supports Apple Music and will allow you to connect an external HDD to its USB-A input. And you can create your own custom playlists through the BluOS app.
The NAD C 658 is a fantastic BluOS network player but does not feature a 5" full color display. The NODE ICON also features the ESS Sabre dual-mono DAC configuration.
I am guessing that this one STILL doesn't have You Tube Premium Music connectivity, despite many of us asking Blue Sound for that feature for YEARS now. The Cambridge does?
The BluOS app does not have support for TH-cam music, but you can use Airplay 2 or Bluetooth to connect if you would like you enjoy TH-cam music with the NODE ICON.
"Server Message Block (SMB) up to 200,000 files" - is this related to the "local server mode"? This is a deal breaker for me. I need higher amount of files.
Isn’t the bluesound node notoriously dodgy with Roon? I know it’s not possible to do dlna/upnp with the n130 so use be careful. I’ve heard it is possible but if you use usb digital out it makes horrible noises
With Bluesound and NAD going together like peanut butter and jelly, you could pair the ICON with a power amp like the M23 with excellent results! www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc166/p_745M23/NAD-Masters-Series-M23.html
Not a good start considering they’ve taken customers money and not bothered to keep them updated on delays……..BlueSound can do much better with being transparent with their paying customers They’ve also not made any effort to let customers know when DIRAC will even be available for it.
@ not me! And how long in advance did you get the update? Suppliers only told yesterday from what I’ve heard. Issues like this don’t happen overnight and they’d have had plenty of chance to communicate sooner, and chose not to.
I am sorry to hear that. When you pre-order gear from Crutchfield it is totally risk-free, you are not charged until your gear is on the way to you. Anytime we list an ETA date on the website for pre-order it means we have some good information that we can expect them, though that can always change.
Having a Hi-Res music source is always the best start, then moving on throughout the rest of the system if you need more performance and sound quality. What kind of other upgrades have you made since adding the Node?
@ that’s how you pronounce it, not dairac. It’s French, it’s a French last name and I guess they’re using it because of a Paul Dirac, and that’s how you pronounce his last name.
Those XLR/RCA outputs operate simultaneously to connect a sub with SE L/R RCA inputs instead of using the Sub output to the LFE In of said sub?
SVS have already DSP low pass filter on their subs and their SE RCA outputs are thruputs to a power amp…
Also, is the HDMI eARC cast a duplicate image of the Icon display to the tv when connected this way…? 🤔
The HDMI eARC does not display an image on your connected TV. The balanced XLR outputs and RCA unbalanced outputs will output audio simultaneously.
@ Thanks for answering!
Anytime! 🙂
One question here... Having the Icon connected to TV via. eARC (HDMI), will it push the now playing album art to the TV? (Example: I'm streaming music via Tidal to Bluesound Icon, sound goes to external amplifier and the album art is show on my TV (eARC connected to Icon). Could it work like this? Any chance to test?
Unfortunately, it won't send album art to the TV. The HDMI eARC connection is only sending audio from the TV back to the Node Icon.
Hi, Can I use this BS Node Icon as a preamplifier / Streamer /DAC with my Parasound A21+ amplifier using the XLR connections? Thanks.
Yes, it can be used as a streaming preamp and DAC when connected to a separate power amp using its XLR audio outputs.
I used Blu OS since 2015 with different devices and was more or less satisfied with the software. But that changed in the last 2,5 years when some problems showed up. First Problem was that I can't create a BluOS playlist anymore because the icon to do that is not displayed in the App anymore. I can only save titles in playlists on theQobuz or Tidal Accounts. Then after the Update to BluOS 4 the possibility to search titles which are played on TuneIn in Qobuz or Tidal isn't present anymore. The 3point menue at the side of the shown title now does not display the icon to do the search. The support cannot give me an answer if this functionality is gone forever. All in all the support isn't a thing Bluesound can be proud of 😢.
Sorry to hear this! Did you get any of your Bluesound components here? If so, please call our Tech Support for help. Their direct number is on your invoice.
@@crutchfield no, sorry, I live in Germany and unfortunately the service of my local dealer isn't great too. So I stand alone with the problem.
That is most unfortunate. We hope that changes or the playlist button comes back!
Does it have a separate remote control?
It is compatible with the Bluesound RC1 remote shown here:
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc227/p_813RC1/item.html
Not in the Box but you can learn any IR-Remote in easy via the App!
That's right, using the BluOS app to control your NODE ICON is simple and easy. The remote adds a nice tactile control too!
Hi guys,
I really love how your review look and feel 😍
Can you please let me know what video recording gear you are using?
Thank you! We primarily use Sony FS6 cameras with DZO Cinema prime lenses. We have some specialty and macro lenses we use sometimes, too.
I have a nad 568 pre amp with BluOS
Would the nod Icon have a better Dac? How would the sound compare?
Did you mean the NAD C 658 in the link below?
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc166/p_745C658/NAD-C-658.html
Can you bypass the dac in the node?
You can bypass the NODE ICON's internal DAC in favor of an external DAC by using either the optical or coaxial digital outputs to connect.
I like the Bluesound node, I’ll stay with my older model. I basically use it in a spare room hooked up to a Denon pre amp. I use it to get internet radio stations through the system.
The Bluesound Node is an excellent choice, with either generation of Node products. I am happy to hear that yours is working for you with your Denon and you are enjoying it!
Great overview of the playing field. Considering the Icon for my Genelecs
Thank you! Which ability of the Node Icon has you strongly considering it? What's keeping you from settling on it or another model?
Well it’s all depends on how it’s compared to Eversolo DMP A6ME
even a8 because it has analog in
Does it have Dirac bass management as an option?
This can support Dirac's bass management. A separate software license purchase is required to run it
Yet it doesn‘t have DIRAC at all.
The NODE ICON will support optional Dirac Live room calibration and bass management through the separate software license purchase.
Does it have Apple Music? Can you hook an external HDD and it will index the music?
Yes, it supports Apple Music and will allow you to connect an external HDD to its USB-A input. And you can create your own custom playlists through the BluOS app.
Does Icon have vu meters?
The NODE ICON does not have VU meter display features.
Can you compare it to the nad c685
The NAD C 658 is a fantastic BluOS network player but does not feature a 5" full color display. The NODE ICON also features the ESS Sabre dual-mono DAC configuration.
@ try. I was hoping for a sound comparison
Hi, can i connect my pc via usb c?
Yes you can! The USB C port is designed to work with a computer
@crutchfield amazing, thanks!
You're welcome! Enjoy!!!
I am guessing that this one STILL doesn't have You Tube Premium Music connectivity, despite many of us asking Blue Sound for that feature for YEARS now. The Cambridge does?
The BluOS app does not have support for TH-cam music, but you can use Airplay 2 or Bluetooth to connect if you would like you enjoy TH-cam music with the NODE ICON.
"Server Message Block (SMB) up to 200,000 files" - is this related to the "local server mode"? This is a deal breaker for me. I need higher amount of files.
We're glad to help you look at other options. Are you looking to support more than 200,000 files from your own music library?
@@crutchfield Sure. My music collection has 2TB. What would you recommend?
Denon's and Marantz's HEOS multiroom platform will get you access to that music collection:
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc227/shopsearch/HEOS.html
Or just use it as Roon Endpoint would've been worth mentioning.
You're right, we should have mentioned that. Appreciate you bringing it up here so others can see.
Isn’t the bluesound node notoriously dodgy with Roon? I know it’s not possible to do dlna/upnp with the n130 so use be careful. I’ve heard it is possible but if you use usb digital out it makes horrible noises
If your making a dedicated streamer you need to make a dedicated amp to accompany it
With Bluesound and NAD going together like peanut butter and jelly, you could pair the ICON with a power amp like the M23 with excellent results!
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc166/p_745M23/NAD-Masters-Series-M23.html
🤯
Eversolo puts these products on the back burner
Apparently the nano sounds better than the a8 so not really
Not a good start considering they’ve taken customers money and not bothered to keep them updated on delays……..BlueSound can do much better with being transparent with their paying customers
They’ve also not made any effort to let customers know when DIRAC will even be available for it.
There response on their Instagram to Dirac was ‘before the end of the year’ so who exactly knows when, maybe it’s on Diracs end
I got a email from bluesound. Stating a 3-4 week delay
I got a email from bluesound 🤷… stating a 3-4 week delay
@ not me! And how long in advance did you get the update? Suppliers only told yesterday from what I’ve heard. Issues like this don’t happen overnight and they’d have had plenty of chance to communicate sooner, and chose not to.
I am sorry to hear that. When you pre-order gear from Crutchfield it is totally risk-free, you are not charged until your gear is on the way to you. Anytime we list an ETA date on the website for pre-order it means we have some good information that we can expect them, though that can always change.
The blue gate way drug you buy a blue node then you only spend 30k upgrading. Lol
Having a Hi-Res music source is always the best start, then moving on throughout the rest of the system if you need more performance and sound quality. What kind of other upgrades have you made since adding the Node?
1,300 for icon and dirac is a hard pass.
Why do you pronounce Dirac like that? It’s French it’s Deerac, not Dairac.
Good to know, thanks! Chalk it up to us being in Central VA I suppose.
@@crutchfieldPut your chin up, your pronunciation wasn’t far off (It’s not French): th-cam.com/video/e8njkQD2xZs/w-d-xo.htmlsi=JZ291zyp1xh0ZnEY
@ that’s how you pronounce it, not dairac. It’s French, it’s a French last name and I guess they’re using it because of a Paul Dirac, and that’s how you pronounce his last name.