Bluesound POWERNODE (Gen 3) Wireless Multi-Room Music Streaming Amplifier

The Hi-Fi Amp Reinvented for the Streaming Age

The Bluesound POWERNODE is the hi-fi amp reinvented for the streaming age, combining audiophile-grade componentry and multi-room music capabilities to create an intuitive “just add speakers” hi-res sound system for modern music lovers. Source, control, and amplification come packed into the compact and minimalist POWERNODE.

Get the most out of your favorite speakers with an award-winning, audiophile-grade amplifier that features 80 watts per channel of zero-distortion power, tested in real-world listening conditions and not just in a lab. A high-grade DAC delivers up to 24-bit/192kHz of hi-res, studio-quality music, including support for FLAC, MQA, and other popular file formats.

New ARM Cortex A53 Quad-Core Chipset

Bluesound’s forward-thinking approach continues to push the performance envelope. The new NODE and POWERNODE feature a powerful ARM Cortex A53 Quad-Core chipset that processes audio eight times faster than previous generations of Bluesound architecture. Not only does this processor boast all the power and speed required for the latest and greatest hi-fi performance, but these products are also ready for whatever technologies the future may hold.

Connect to Countless Music Sources

The POWERNODE is equipped with an array of digital and analog inputs and outputs to give you ultimate connection flexibility. It supports HDMI eARC, dual-band Wi-Fi and Gigabit ethernet, Apple AirPlay 2, aptX HD Bluetooth receiver and transmitter, RCA, Toslink optical, 3.5mm jack, and USB Type A connectors. Bring music into your POWERNODE from dozens of internet radio and streaming services, Bluetooth devices, TV and gaming consoles, network or local hard drives, nearby Apple devices, CD players, and many others. Then send your music into your favorite speakers, other BLUESOUND players or BluOS devices, Bluetooth headphones, wired headphones, Apple AirPlay devices, or other network-connected speakers.

Access just about all of the music ever recorded through the BluOS Controller app, connecting you to popular streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, SiriusXM, and dozens of others, or from your own music library through Apple AirPlay 2, aptX HD Bluetooth, or even a network-connected drive or USB hard drive.

Bring Music to Multiple Rooms

With BluOS built-in, easily create a DIY multi-room hi-res audio system with a few taps of the BluOS Controller app. Additional hands-free controls are available through voice assistants like Siri, Google Voice, or Alexa. For professional smart home installers, full-feature drivers are available for Lutron, Crestron, RTI, Elan, and other popular control systems.

In one or many rooms, the POWERNODE is a versatile workhorse, placed either freestanding or in a custom installation rack, allowing you to toggle back and forth amongst a number of listening set-ups with a few taps in the BluOS Controller app. Looking for a traditional 2-channel audiophile listening experience? Just add a pair of your favorite speakers.

Add Other BLUESOUND Gear for Even More Capability

Got a bass-heavy track you love? Add the PULSE SUB+ to your 2-channel set-up to create a capable and musical 2.1 wireless system. Want to kick back with some movies or video games? Bring a pair of PULSE FLEX 2i to the party as rear channel additions to your 2.1 system for a wireless Dolby® surround sound home theater experience. Want to listen to your favorite music in other parts of your home? Sprinkle other BLUESOUND players around your home for a multi-room audio solution.

Overview

• HybridDigital™ amplifier platform powering 80 watts per channel into 8 ohms
• Quad-core 1.8GHz ARM® Cortex™ A53 processor
• 32-bit/384kHz premium DAC design
• HDMI eARC, optical & analog inputs
• BluOS™ wireless multi-room music capability
• Wireless Dolby® surround sound
• MQA music and hi-res audio streaming
• AirPlay 2 for integration into Apple ecosystem
• Voice control with Apple’s Siri, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
• Dual-band Wi-Fi + Gigabit ethernet
• Two-way aptX™ HD Bluetooth
• IR remote learning capability, IR input
• Wired & wireless headphone output
• Wired & wireless subwoofer output
• Touch controls with presets
• Black or white finish

• Operating System: BluOS 3.16*
• Supported Controller Operating System: iOS, Android, Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10, macOS 10.10-10.15, 11
• Supported Audio File Formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, WMA-L, OGG, ALAC, OPUS
• Supported Hi-Res Audio File Formats: FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4 SLS
• Supported Multi-Channel Audio Formats: Dolby Digital
• Supported Network File Sharing: Server Messsage Block (SMB)
• Native Sampling Rates: up to 192 kHz
• Bit Depths: 16-24
• Music Service Integrations: 23+
• 3rd-Party Integrations: AirPlay 2
• Apple Wireless Accessory Configuration (WAC)
• Control System Integrations: Crestron, Control 4, RTI, ELAN, URC, Push, Lutron, iPort
• Voice Control Integrations: Amazon Alexa Skills; Actions on Google

• AN IMMERSIVE DOLBY ATMOS EXPERIENCE – The unique BluOS implementation of Dolby Atmos in the PULSE SOUNDBAR+ features four virtualization profiles - Movie, Music, Late Night and Off - giving listeners more choice in how they enjoy an immersive home theater experience. While Dolby Atmos decoded content provides the most realistic Dolby Atmos experience, any content can be virtualized to provide users a wider, higher, and more enveloping soundstage. Great care has been taken to assure the timbre of the audio remains natural anywhere in the listening environment.
• TUNIFY MUSIC SERVICE – Tunify specializes in providing commercially-licensed music to business users. Tunify allows professional business users to choose music to match the type of atmosphere and/or mood they are trying to achieve. With ease of use and several different service options, Tunify provides professional business owners an easy way to have more control over their business’s atmosphere and customer experience.

• Status Indicator: LED x 2
• Play/Pause Button: Touch LED
• Volume Control Buttons: Touch Slider LED
• Previous/Next Track Buttons: Touch LED
• Preset Buttons: Touch LED
• Proximity Sensor: Yes
• Audio Controls & EQ: In-App
• Processor: ARM® Cortex™ -A53, Quad-Core, 1.8GHz per core
• DAC: 32-Bit, 384kHz
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: -100dBA
• Distortion: THD+N, 0.008%
• Amplification: HybridDigital™
• Rated Power Output: 80W x 2 (8 Ohms)
• IHF Dynamic Power: 220W (4 Ohms) / 130W (8 Ohms)

• Power: Universal bi-pin AC cord input (100-240AC)
• Ethernet/LAN: Ethernet RJ45, GigE 1000 Mbps
• Wi-Fi Built In: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band
• Bluetooth Quality: Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD
• Bluetooth Connectivity: Two-Way (transmit & receive)
• IR Optical Built In: IR Sensor Built In - front panel with IR Remote Learning
• IR Input: 3.5mm Jack
• Optical/Analog Input: Combo Mini TOSLINK; 3.5mm Analog Line In x2
• HDMI Input: HDMI eARC
• USB IN: Type A (Fat32 Formatted)
• Headphone Output: 3.5mm Stereo; Bluetooth
• Subwoofer Output: RCA x 1; Wireless to PULSE SUB+
• Speaker Terminals: 5-Way Binding Post

• Dimensions: 8.7 x 2.75 x 7.5 in (W x H x D)
• Weight: 13.9 lbs.

2022 Golden Ear Award Winner

"The real story here is the surprisingly good sound for the price. The Powernode Gen 3 easily fits into systems that include other components (even cables) that cost as much or more than the Bluesound unit itself without embarrassing itself sonically. Slightly on the mellow and forgiving side of neutral, it should pair well with a wide variety of speakers and rooms; yet it still provides plenty of detail and microdynamics for a surprising amount of satisfaction from all genres of music. Also surprising is the amount of power available—130W (8 ohms) and 220W (4 ohms) of IHF dynamic power for musical peaks."

- Muse Kastanovich, The Absolute Sound, Feburary 3, 2023

"I prefer vinyl over other formats, and I'm most at home with old-school tech. But Bluesound's class-D streaming amplifier surprised me more than once. Its best, most obvious virtue is its clarity. It also reproduces music with convincing scale and impressive soundstaging."

"...it's simple to operate, built from audiophile components based on decades of collected technical knowledge, and it's made for music lovers."

- Ken Micallef, Stereophile, May 27, 2022

"...the Powernode is the bomb, and no wonder it’s been a popular product for Bluesound—and one the company has continued to improve with subsequent versions. A product that’s this useful and this well priced deserves to live on and on. So if it fits your lifestyle and listening needs, I encourage you to try a Powernode and see if you agree."

"...the Powernode is a brilliant example of affordable, compact, modern hi-fi design that’s as easy to live with as it is to listen to."

- Douglas Schneider, SoundStage! Hi-Fi, November 1, 2021

"The newest version of the Powernode has more power 220W (4 Ohms) / 130W (8 Ohms) than the previous version, and supports all the usual Bluesound goodies such as wide file format support, local library support, Roon and Bluesound native app support, tons of content options, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and the critically important facts that it works every time and it's simple to use if I'm not around to be the tech support guy."

"Keep in mind that the Powernode sounds great. That's a must, or else I wouldn't eve consider it."

- Chris Connaker, Audiophile Style, October 5, 2021

"How does it sound when hooked up to some speakers? In short, everything sounds so much more dynamic, lively and full."

"Everything I watched or played when using the POWERNODE sounded incredible."

"It's a fantastic device for streaming any kind of audio and can work with televisions and projectors."

- Bob Fekete, International Business Times, September 15, 2021