BluOS,
the music administration platform first launched for Bluesound wi-fi
multi-room methods, obtained a giant replace this 12 months within the type of a brand new and
improved cell app. The BluOS 4.0 replace features a redesign of the interface,
which was already one of many higher choices on the market (when you don’t need to pay
the massive bucks for Roon). BluOS 4.0 affords “a cleaner format, simpler entry
round its navigation and menus, and customization choices to go well with particular person
listening wants,” in accordance with mother or father firm Lenbrook
Worldwide. Today, BluOS
isn’t simply restricted to Bluesound units; it can be used to manage
wi-fi streaming audio system from Dali, Monitor Audio customized set up amps,
and upcoming Peachtree Audio merchandise. However BluOS is most prominently featured
in merchandise from Lenbrook’s
personal corporations: NAD Electronics, PSB Audio system, and, in fact, Bluesound. As we speak
we’ll have a look at three of the latest and most attention-grabbing merchandise from these
corporations, throughout a spread of worth factors. These merchandise may enchantment to
various kinds of clients, however I can even think about situations through which a
typical audiophile may use all three in several audio methods across the
home.
Bluesound
Node X ($749)
The
present Bluesound Node ($599) was launched in 2021 and stays one of many
hottest streaming units on the market, due to its distinctive mixture of
options and worth. It affords multi-room capabilities (together with Roon), each
analog and digital outputs, HDMI eARC, and bass administration that may be adjusted
within the BluOS app. It’s powered by a Quad-Core 1.8GHz ARM Cortex A53 processor,
so it’s snappy and responsive. The built-in DAC, constructed round a 32-bit/384 kHz
Burr-Brown 5242 DAC chip, is completely serviceable, particularly at this worth
level. The Node affords dual-band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, and assist for 2-way
aptX HD Bluetooth, plus a 3.5mm headphone jack. This record is hardly exhaustive.
Now, to have fun Bluesound’s tenth anniversary, the corporate has launched a
particular limited-run anniversary version of the Node known as the Node X. Simple to
spot due to its silver end, the Node X affords upgraded elements and
superior efficiency for these keen to pay an additional $150.
The
two greatest upgrades go to the DAC and headphone amp, each of which profit
from rather more costly elements within the Node X in comparison with the common Node. The
DAC chip used within the Node X is the ESS 9028Q2M Sabre DAC,
chosen for its ultra-low noise, large dynamic vary, and near-zero ranges of
clock jitter. In the meantime, the headphone output within the Node X makes use of the modern
THX AAA (Achromatic Audio Amplifier) expertise, which might be present in some
costly purpose-built headphone amps. THX AAA tech makes use of patented feed-forward
error correction to realize “infinitesimally low ranges of noise, distortion,
and energy consumption,” in accordance with Bluesound. To replicate the truth that this
headphone jack can deal with severe audiophile cans, the Node X has a bigger
1/4-inch headphone jack as an alternative of the three.5mm jack discovered on the common Node.
When
we thought of methods to have fun a decade of audio excellence and management
in wi-fi hi-res streaming, we knew we needed to begin with the Node. The Node X
re-imagines a few of the greatest elements of the critically acclaimed, iconic Node’s
product design – our hottest mannequin – and takes ’simply add streaming’ to new
efficiency ranges for the subsequent technology of audiophiles. I’m significantly
excited to see how our clients use the Node X with their favourite pair of
efficiency headphones.
—
Matt Simmonds, Product Supervisor of Bluesound
The
Bluesound Node X is obtainable now from licensed Bluesound retailers, like our
associates at Audio Recommendation.
PSB
Alpha iQ Streaming Powered Audio system ($1,499/pair)
Though
Bluesound has been round for a decade now, its sister-company PSB has solely
not too long ago launched its first product to benefit from BluOS, the PSB Alpha iQ streaming powered audio system. First showcased
ultimately 12 months’s CEDIA expo, the Alpha iQ is “an all-in-one audio system that
units a brand new benchmark for contemporary, tangle-free, audiophile-grade listening,”
in accordance with PSB. The system appears to be like much like many different pairs of powered
bookshelf audio system, however solely a handful of costlier rivals (such because the KEF LS50 Wi-fi II) can supply a comparable person
expertise. Just like the Node, the Alpha iQ
audio system supply built-in two-way aptX-HD Bluetooth, assist for Apple AirPlay 2,
and entry to greater than 20 streaming companies through the BluOS app. The built-in
amps, DAC, and streaming performance make the Alpha iQ an entire system,
excellent for people (like my brother, Dan) who need Sonos-level simplicity, and
don’t care about audiophile tweaks and customization. However I can even see the Alpha iQ changing into a preferred alternative for severe
audiophiles searching for a straightforward setup for a bed room, workplace, or trip dwelling —
particularly in the event that they already use different BluOS units elsewhere.
The
left and proper audio system should each be plugged into an influence outlet, however there’s
no cumbersome umbilical connecting them to one another. As an alternative, they
talk through a wi-fi hyperlink that guarantees to maintain music “synched and clear
no matter speaker placement,” in accordance with PSB. These compact audio system use 4-inch
polypropylene mid-bass drivers with metal baskets
and rubber surrounds. The three/4-inch aluminum dome tweeters function neodymium
magnets and ferrofluid damping. Every woofer is powered by its personal 60-watt class-D
amplifier, whereas every
tweeter has its personal 30-watt class-D amp. Regardless of the audio system’ small measurement and
comparatively modest 4-inch cones, PSB says that the 180 watts of system energy,
tuned bass ports, and DSP-enabled low-frequency extension work collectively to
ship a stunning degree of bass output. The DSP-based energetic crossover works
with PSB’s “the other way up” driver association (through which the tweeter is positioned
beneath the woofer) to make sure that the mix between the 2 drivers stays
constant whether or not the listener is seated or standing up. The interior DAC
helps resolutions as much as 24-bit/192kHz. Do you have to resolve that the bass
output is spectacular however however inadequate to necessities, there’s a
subwoofer output. When it’s in use, the BluOS app mechanically engages a
low-pass filter for the sub and a high-pass filter for the principle
audio system.
The
Alpha iQ has each an HDMI ARC port and a
built-in MM phono preamp positioned within the major speaker, together with an optical
enter, a 3.5mm auxiliary enter, and a USB port for connecting an exterior drive. Do you have to want to combine the Alpha iQ into your sensible dwelling, drivers are
out there for Control4, Crestron, ELAN, RTI, and URC. The PSB Alpha iQ audio system are supplied in satin white
and satin black finishes, and can be found now from the PSB web site
and licensed PSB sellers.
The
Alpha iQ is an ideal alternative for music-lovers who need a subtle
all-in-one system that delivers nice sound with out the fuss of cables and
a number of elements. We consider it as stunning sound made easy.
—
Joe de Jesus, product supervisor, PSB Audio system
NAD
Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC-Preamplifier ($5,499)
Simply
launched on the Excessive Finish present in Munich,
the brand new NAD Masters M66 is without doubt one of the coolest items of audio gear I’ve seen in
a while. It’s a streaming DAC and preamp, type of like a Bluesound Node X
with much more options and efficiency upgrades up the wazoo. However that
description doesn’t actually do the M66 justice. NAD calls it “a no-compromise
part so superior, it represents a completely new class of hi-fi
separates.” If the M66 appears to be like acquainted, that may be as a result of it carefully
resembles the M33 built-in amp from 2020, and is meant to be
paired with NAD’s very good M23 energy ampwhich totally impressed Chief Audioholic Gene
DellaSala when he examined it final 12 months. (NAD says that the M23 amp is the
excellent match 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 based mostly on the BluOS platform. It has HDMI eARC and Dirac Reside Room
Correction just like the M33, however there’s no inside amplification. Is the M66 simply
a stripped down M33?
No.
To start with, it makes use of ESS Expertise’s flagship ES9038PRO Sabre DAC — a
noteworthy improve over the ES9028 chip used within the M33. And for quantity
management, the M66 makes use of an ultra-precise resistor-ladder management circuit, whereas the M33’s digital quantity
management technically sacrificed some sign decision. NAD says that the M66’s
quantity management “markedly reduces thermal and associated distortions, maximizes
dynamic vary, and extra precisely matches left- and right-channel output
throughout your complete quantity vary,” in comparison with conventional
analogue circuits. The
M66 can also be the primary NAD part to function the corporate’s new Dynamic
Digital Headroom (DDH) circuitry. This pioneering expertise, which might be
turned on and off through the BluOS app,
“eliminates digital inter-sample peak clipping distortion, which might happen
throughout digital-to-analogue conversion of sudden high-frequency transients,”
in accordance with NAD. The profit is reportedly best to listen to with percussion
devices. “Cymbals are much less splashy and extra real looking,” says NAD, and “rim
photographs are much less strident and extra impactful.”
So
far, I’ve mentioned a few of the M66’s inside upgrades over the M33
built-in. However when you flip the M66 round and examine the again panel, one in every of
its most fun options turns into clear with out wanting below the hood or
studying the instruction handbook. The M66 is the one stereo product I’m conscious of
with 4 subwoofer outputs. These can be found on each RCA and XLR. Why 4
sub outs on a stereo preamp? As a result of the M66 additionally comes with the complete,
multi-sub model of Dirac Reside Bass Management. NAD says this permits the M66 to
“ship extra correct in-room response than any two-channel part ever
supplied.” With the flexibility to independently calibrate and optimize 4 subwoofers
in each the frequency and time domains, Dirac Reside Bass Management on the M66
guarantees “a seamless mix between the principle audio system and subwoofers,” and “constant
low-frequency response all through the listening room, not simply within the candy
spot.” Rumor has it that when the unique partnership with Dirac and Storm Audio expires, the M66 shall be firmware upgradeable to assist Dirac Artwork!
In
order for Dirac Reside and Dirac Reside Bass Management to work, all analogue audio
alerts should be digitized. The M66 handles this job utilizing ESS Expertise’s
ES9822PRO flagship ADC. However some vinyl fanatics hate the concept of digitizing
their analogue audio, irrespective of how a lot profit Dirac affords. Fortunately for
them, the M66 additionally options an Analogue Direct mode that bypasses all digital
processing and routes the audio sign via a separate, all-analogue sign
path. There are separate energy provides for the digital and analogue sections,
and customers may even disable the M66’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth circuitry to reduce
RF interference when enjoying vinyl.
Like
different NAD Masters merchandise, the M66 boasts excellent construct high quality, with aluminum casework, a 7-inch touchscreen, and a quantity
knob with a premium knob-feel. Round again, there are two growth slots that
assist the newest model of NAD’s Modular Design Building function, MDC2.
This implies the M66 can keep updated for years to come back; house owners can merely
insert an MDC2 module when new capabilities come alongside.
We
imagine the M66 represents the top of what’s technically achievable
immediately. And due to NAD’s MDC2 future-proofing platform, the M66 will stay
on the forefront as expertise evolves.
— Cas Oostvogel, product supervisor, NAD Electronics
The
NAD M66 will start delivery in fall
of 2023. Extra data: NAD M66
