Node 3/New Node questions
Answered
Node 3 looks good Bluesound team ! May I ask a few questions please? 1. What is the DAC ? Is it still a Burr Brown or have you moved to ESS? 2. What benefits come from having a faster processor? 3. Have you changed the power supply at all? 4. Moving forwards will there be features in BluOS that are only supported by the new Node and not the older 2i and 2 models?
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Official comment
Hi Marco
We have only performed some slight tweaks to an already outstanding product.
- The NODE (N130) features a PCM 5242 Burr-Brown DAC, which has been implemented with a differential output design in an endeavour to cancel out as much unwanted noise as possible. In comparison, the NODE (N130) measures in at -113dB SNR and 0.002% distortion due to this change -- a notable improvement over the NODE 2i's -110dB SNR and 0.005% distortion.
- As always, a faster processor means a faster brain - we continue to try and future-proof our products by over spec-ing them for whatever tomorrow brings - so that remains to be seen.
- We made some tweaks last time around and are very happy with the power supply in the NODE 2i and continue to use it in the new NODE (N130).
- No - that is not our intention. In fact, the original NODE (N100) introduced in December of 2012 is still in use today by thousands of customers and runs virtually all the features in BluOS 3.14.5 (our current release). This includes Spotify Connect, MQA Playback and Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant Voice Integration, all features developed well after the original NODE's release (see point 2).
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Fantastic to get such a helpful response, much appreciated. Do you mind if I share this info on hi-fi facebook groups?
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Volume slider and preset buttons are great additions. 80 watts for the Powernode is also welcome.
Wonder if the memory size has been increased as well.
Looks like many good choices were made. Congratulations!
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Tony W - BTW there appears to be some confusion about USB out - is it now supported? It says it is on some retailer websites but I can't see where it says this on the Bluesound website?
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We do not have exact details here at The Support Crew just yet but yes, if not at launch, in a near-future release.
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How about the outer case? My Node 2's rubbery outer case has become very sticky/tacky. I touch it and my finger sticks. So does dust and anything else. It looks terrible.
A while back I explained this issue to support and they offered no solution. Others have complained of the same problem. Other products that use this type of finish also have this problem.
Will the case on the new Node be made of some other material? Something that doesn't get sticky and is cleanable?
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The new NODE and POWERNODE have a solid matte finish and we have moved away from the vulcanised casing.
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As I recently purchased the node 2i... will the new node output DSD using the USB connection?
The possibility to stream DSD to my DAC is something I surely miss.
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Your NODE 2i today will play be able to play your DSD content today in the BluOS App for Windows or macOS by performing a one-time conversion from DSD to PCM rather than relying on DoP. Here's how; https://support.bluos.net/hc/en-us/articles/360019447014
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Thanks, I'm aware of that. I understand it then that for the moment direct DSD output will not be available on the new node. Anyway thanks for the info.
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Thanks, good to hear about the change in case material.
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Regarding the power supply - there's a reviewer on YouTube (Hans Beekhuyzen) that's already got a new Node and done a pretty comprehensive review. He does a side-by-side comparison of the insides of the new Node vs. the Node 2i and he shows the power supply in the new one being very different than the old one. ??? Just wondering....
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I just received my Node 3 and I have had all 3 generations so I obviously am a solid Bluesound supporter. That said, I want to register my complaint with the finish of the new generation. What happened to the rubberized finish?? I found that to be one of the trademarks of the brand. Register one big thumb down for the cheaper painted plastic. Granted, I have moved up with each generation so have not had the vulanized finish long term, but I have never had any such “sticky problems”. I clean them periodically with Windex.
Thumbs up for functionality however.
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Glad to hear that you have had no issues, but for the last year or so the outer surface of my Node 2 just kept getting stickier and stickier. No cleaning method I tried would dislodge the dust that became embedded in the rubber. It looked awful. Others, who had posted that they had the same problem, offered no solution either. On a discussion board for another product that has a similar finish I read that denatured alcohol would dissolve the rubber. I finally got desperate enough to try it. A whole lot of elbow grease later the rubber was gone, leaving an attractive and smooth matte-plastic surface. Sitting on its shelf the Node 2 looks no different than the rubber surface did when new. I am quite pleased.
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Interesting. Maybe a bad batch? Or perhaps environmental conditions? Are you perhaps coastal? Perhaps salt air? Heat? Arizona? Sun exposure? Mine is in a (very) temperature/humidity controlled Midwestern condo without direct sun exposure. Most adhesives can be removed with alcohol. Often requires more persistence (and work) than a true adhesive remover - which I’d suggest for anyone else with this problem. Obviously try it on inconspicuous area first.
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@nstzya @markbrauer, I am using a product called Goo-gone which effectively removes the sticky surface and adds protection. I live in the tropics so the issue with plastics/rubber is a general one for me.
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@Tony W, to add to your table above, which DAC was found in the original Powernode (N150)? I am quite curious as I am still running one in my study. Got myself a very nice pair of bookshelves and have been comparing sound quality.
(this is on top of my PowerNode 2nd gen, Pulse Mini, Pulse Flex, NAD C399/BluOS, and the NAD C368/BluOS that my father inherited from me ;) ).
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