Stream It Your Way – Bluesound Node X, Psb Alpha Iq, Radical Nad M66

BluOS,
the song control platform first offered for Bluesound wi-fi
multi-room techniques, were given a large replace this within the type of a new and
stepped forward cell app. The BluOS 4.0 replace features a redesign of the interface,
which used to be already one of the vital higher choices in the market (when you don’t wish to pay
the massive dollars for Roon). BluOS 4.0 gives “a cleaner structure, more uncomplicated get entry to
round its navigation and menus, and customization choices to fit particular person
listening wishes,” in line with mum or dad corporation Lenbrook
World. In this day and age, BluOS
isn’t simply restricted to Bluesound units; it will also be used to keep watch over
wi-fi streaming audio system from Dali, Track Audio customized set up amps,
and upcoming Peachtree Audio merchandise. However BluOS is maximum prominently featured
in merchandise from Lenbrook’s
personal corporations: NAD Electronics, PSB Audio system, and, after all, Bluesound. As of late
we’ll have a look at 3 of the most recent and maximum attention-grabbing merchandise from those
corporations, throughout a variety of worth issues. Those merchandise may enchantment to
several types of consumers, however I will be able to additionally believe eventualities by which a
conventional audiophile may use all 3 in several audio techniques across the
space.

Bluesound
Node X ($749)

The
present Bluesound Node ($599) used to be offered in 2021 and stays one of the vital
hottest streaming units in the market, because of its distinctive aggregate of
options and worth. It gives multi-room functions (together with Roon), each
analog and electronic outputs, HDMI eARC, and bass control that may be adjusted
within the BluOS app. It’s powered by way of a Quad-Core 1.8GHz ARM Cortex A53 processor,
so it’s snappy and responsive. The integrated DAC, constructed round a 32-bit/384 kHz
Burr-Brown 5242 DAC chip, is completely serviceable, particularly at this worth
level. The Node gives dual-band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, and fortify for 2-way
aptX HD Bluetooth, plus a three.5mm headphone jack. This listing is infrequently exhaustive.
Now, to have a good time Bluesound’s tenth anniversary, the corporate has offered a
particular limited-run anniversary version of the Node referred to as the Node X. Simple to
spot because of its silver end, the Node X gives upgraded parts and
awesome functionality for the ones prepared to pay an additional $150.

The
two largest upgrades cross to the DAC and headphone amp, either one of which receive advantages
from a lot more pricey portions within the Node X in comparison to the common Node. The
DAC chip used within the Node X is the ESS 9028Q2M Sabre DAC,
selected for its ultra-low noise, vast dynamic vary, and near-zero ranges of
clock jitter. In the meantime, the headphone output within the Node X makes use of the cutting edge
THX AAA (Achromatic Audio Amplifier) generation, which may also be present in some
pricey purpose-built headphone amps. THX AAA tech makes use of patented feed-forward
error correction to reach “infinitesimally low ranges of noise, distortion,
and tool intake,” in line with Bluesound. To mirror the truth that this
headphone jack can deal with critical audiophile cans, the Node X has a bigger
1/4-inch headphone jack as a substitute of the three.5mm jack discovered at the common Node.

When
we considered the way to have a good time a decade of audio excellence and management
in wi-fi hi-res streaming, we knew we had to begin with the Node. The Node X
re-imagines one of the crucial perfect portions of the seriously acclaimed, iconic Node’s
product design – our hottest fashion – and takes ’simply upload streaming’ to new
functionality ranges for the following technology of audiophiles. I’m in particular
excited to look how our consumers use the Node X with their favourite pair of
functionality headphones.

—
Matt Simmonds, Product Supervisor of Bluesound

The
Bluesound Node X is to be had now from approved Bluesound outlets, like our
pals at Audio Recommendation.

PSB
Alpha iQ Streaming Powered Audio system ($1,499/pair)

Even though
Bluesound has been round for a decade now, its sister-company PSB has most effective
just lately introduced its first product to benefit from BluOS, the PSB Alpha iQ streaming powered audio system. First showcased
ultimately ’s CEDIA expo, the Alpha iQ is “an all-in-one audio gadget that
units a new benchmark for contemporary, tangle-free, audiophile-grade listening,”
in line with PSB. The gadget appears to be like very similar to many different pairs of powered
bookshelf audio system, however just a handful of more expensive competition (such because the KEF LS50 Wi-fi II) can be offering a related person
revel in. Just like the Node, the Alpha iQ
audio system be offering integrated two-way aptX-HD Bluetooth, fortify for Apple AirPlay 2,
and get entry to to greater than 20 streaming services and products by way of the BluOS app. The integrated
amps, DAC, and streaming capability make the Alpha iQ a whole gadget,
easiest for other folks (like my brother, Dan) who need Sonos-level simplicity, and
don’t care about audiophile tweaks and customization. However I will be able to additionally see the Alpha iQ changing into a well-liked selection for critical
audiophiles on the lookout for a very simple setup for a bed room, place of job, or holiday house —
particularly in the event that they already use different BluOS units in other places.

The
left and appropriate audio system should each be plugged into an influence outlet, however there’s
no bulky umbilical connecting them to one another. As an alternative, they
keep in touch by way of a wi-fi hyperlink that guarantees to stay song “synched and transparent
irrespective of speaker placement,” in line with PSB. Those compact audio system use 4-inch
polypropylene mid-bass drivers with metal baskets
and rubber surrounds. The three/4-inch aluminum dome tweeters characteristic neodymium
magnets and ferrofluid damping. Each and every woofer is powered by way of its personal 60-watt class-D
amplifier, whilst every
tweeter has its personal 30-watt class-D amp. Regardless of the audio system’ small dimension and
quite modest 4-inch cones, PSB says that the 180 watts of gadget energy,
tuned bass ports, and DSP-enabled low-frequency extension paintings in combination to
ship a shocking point of bass output. The DSP-based energetic crossover works
with PSB’s “the other way up” driving force association (by which the tweeter is positioned
under the woofer) to make sure that the mix between the 2 drivers stays
constant whether or not the listener is seated or status up. The interior DAC
helps resolutions as much as 24-bit/192kHz. Will have to making a decision that the bass
output is spectacular however nonetheless inadequate to necessities, there’s a
subwoofer output. When it’s in use, the BluOS app mechanically engages a
low-pass filter out for the sub and a high-pass filter out for the primary
audio system.

The
Alpha iQ has each an HDMI ARC port and a
integrated MM phono preamp positioned in the main speaker, in conjunction with an optical
enter, a three.5mm auxiliary enter, and a USB port for connecting an exterior power. Will have to you need to combine the Alpha iQ into your good house, drivers are
to be had for Control4, Crestron, ELAN, RTI, and URC. The PSB Alpha iQ audio system are introduced in satin white
and satin black finishes, and are to be had now from the PSB web site
and licensed PSB sellers.

The
Alpha iQ is an ideal selection for music-lovers who desire a refined
all-in-one gadget that delivers nice sound with out the fuss of cables and
more than one parts. We call to mind it as stunning sound made easy.

—
Joe de Jesus, product supervisor, PSB Audio system

NAD
Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC-Preamplifier ($5,499)

Simply
offered on the Prime Finish display in Munich,
the new NAD Masters M66 is among the coolest items of audio equipment I’ve observed in
a while. It’s a streaming DAC and preamp, roughly like a Bluesound Node X
with much more options and function upgrades up the wazoo. However that
description doesn’t in reality do the M66 justice. NAD calls it “a no-compromise
element so complex, it represents a wholly new class of hi-fi
separates.” If the M66 appears to be like acquainted, that could be as it carefully
resembles the M33 built-in amp from 2020, and is meant to be
paired with NAD’s very good M23 energy amp, which totally inspired Leader Audioholic Gene
DellaSala when he examined it final . (NAD says that the M23 amp is the
easiest fit for the M66 “visually, sonically, and technologically,” however you
can use any high-performance amplifier you select.) So, what makes the M66 so
thrilling? Just like the M33 built-in, it has an audiophile-grade DAC and community
streamer in response to the BluOS platform. It has HDMI eARC and Dirac Are living Room
Correction just like the M33, however there’s no inside amplification. Is the M66 simply
a stripped down M33?

No.
To begin with, it makes use of ESS Generation’s flagship ES9038PRO Sabre DAC — a
noteworthy improve over the ES9028 chip used within the M33. And for quantity
keep watch over, the M66 makes use of an ultra-precise resistor-ladder keep watch over circuit, whilst the M33’s electronic quantity
keep watch over technically sacrificed some sign answer. NAD says that the M66’s
quantity keep watch over “markedly reduces thermal and comparable distortions, maximizes
dynamic vary, and extra correctly suits left- and right-channel output
throughout all of the quantity vary,” in comparison to conventional
analogue circuits. The
M66 could also be the primary NAD element to characteristic the corporate’s new Dynamic
Virtual Headroom (DDH) circuitry. This pioneering generation, which may also be
grew to become off and on by way of the BluOS app,
“removes electronic inter-sample top clipping distortion, which will happen
all over digital-to-analogue conversion of unexpected high-frequency transients,”
in line with NAD. The ease is reportedly best possible to listen to with percussion
tools. “Cymbals are much less splashy and extra sensible,” says NAD, and “rim
pictures are much less strident and extra impactful.”

So
a long way, I’ve mentioned one of the crucial M66’s inside upgrades over the M33
built-in. However when you flip the M66 round and check up on the again panel, certainly one of
its most fun options turns into transparent with out having a look beneath the hood or
studying the instruction guide. The M66 is the one stereo product I’m acutely aware of
with 4 subwoofer outputs. Those are to be had on each RCA and XLR. Why 4
sub outs on a stereo preamp? For the reason that M66 additionally comes with the total,
multi-sub model of Dirac Are living Bass Keep an eye on. NAD says this permits the M66 to
“ship extra correct in-room reaction than any two-channel element ever
introduced.” Having the ability to independently calibrate and optimize 4 subwoofers
in each the frequency and time domain names, Dirac Are living Bass Keep an eye on at the M66
guarantees “a continuing mix between the primary audio system and subwoofers,” and “constant
low-frequency reaction all the way through the listening room, no longer simply within the candy
spot.” Rumor has it that after the unique partnership with Dirac and Typhoon Audio expires, the M66 can be firmware upgradeable to fortify Dirac Artwork!

In
order for Dirac Are living and Dirac Are living Bass Keep an eye on to paintings, all analogue audio
indicators should be digitized. The M66 handles this activity the usage of ESS Generation’s
ES9822PRO flagship ADC. However some vinyl fanatics hate the speculation of digitizing
their analogue audio, regardless of how a lot receive advantages Dirac gives. Thankfully for
them, the M66 additionally options an Analogue Direct mode that bypasses all electronic
processing and routes the audio sign thru a separate, all-analogue sign
trail. There are separate energy provides for the electronic and analogue sections,
and customers will even disable the M66’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth circuitry to attenuate
RF interference when taking part in vinyl.

Like
different NAD Masters merchandise, the M66 boasts remarkable construct high quality, with aluminum casework, a 7-inch touchscreen, and a quantity
knob with a top class knob-feel. Round again, there are two enlargement slots that
fortify the most recent model of NAD’s Modular Design Building characteristic, MDC2.
This implies the M66 can keep up to the moment for future years; house owners can merely
insert an MDC2 module when new functions come alongside.

We
imagine the M66 represents the head of what’s technically achievable
lately. And because of NAD’s MDC2 future-proofing platform, the M66 will stay
at the leading edge as generation evolves.

—
Cas Oostvogel,
product supervisor, NAD Electronics

The
NAD M66 will start transport in fall
of 2023. Additional information: NAD M66