Bluesound POWERNODE Gen3 Streaming Amplifier - Gloss White

Just Add Speakers

The Bluesound POWERNODE is a streamer, a converter and a stereo amplifier in one box. Connect a pair of passive speakers and you have a complete system, which is the whole design brief and the reason it has stayed in the range so long.

Stereophile made it a Recommended Component for 2024, and The Absolute Sound gave it a Golden Ear award in 2022. Those are unusual honours for a box that costs what this one does and asks so little of the person setting it up.

Eighty Watts, Tested Properly

Power is 80 watts per channel, and Bluesound is careful to say it was measured in real listening conditions rather than only on a bench. The converter handles hi-res up to 24-bit and 192kHz, including FLAC and MQA.

BluOS, and a Headphone Output People Notice

BluOS brings the streaming services, internet radio and your own library, controlled from a phone, tablet or computer. It is the same platform the rest of the range runs, so adding a second room later means adding a player rather than starting again.

Small Box, Full System

Everything lives in one compact, minimalist case: the source, the control and the amplification. For a room where a rack of separates would be absurd, that is the entire argument, and it is why this model keeps selling.

There is a headphone output on it too. That is easy to overlook on a streaming amplifier, and it turns out to be one of the things owners reach for most often once the box is on the shelf.

Who Is This Streaming Amplifier Best For?

• You want a system, not a rack — streamer, converter and amplifier in one box means a pair of speakers is the only other thing to buy.
• You want the awards to mean something — a Stereophile Recommended Component for 2024 and an Absolute Sound Golden Ear in 2022, at this price.
• Your speakers are ordinary, not extreme — 80 watts a channel, measured in real conditions, drives the kind of pair most rooms actually hold.
• You listen on headphones as well — the headphone output is built in, so the good pair gets used without another box on the shelf.
• The POWERNODE drives one pair of passive speakers — it is built around that, so a second zone means adding another BluOS player. Browse our bookshelf speakers for the pair it was made for.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Wire a pair of passive speakers to the terminals and join the POWERNODE to your network, then let the BluOS app find it. From there the streaming services and your own library are all in one place.

Headphones plug into the front. Other sources connect to the inputs on the back, and the whole thing is controlled from a phone, a tablet or a computer.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions:

• Speakers: One pair is all it needs — see our Bookshelf Speakers.
• Headphones: There is an output built in — browse our Headphones.
• Subwoofer: To fill in below the speakers — see our Subwoofers.
• Cables: Speaker cable to finish the job — see our Speaker Cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much power does it deliver?

80 watts per channel, which Bluesound measured in real listening conditions rather than only on a test bench.

Do I need anything besides speakers?

A pair of passive speakers and a network connection. The streamer, converter and amplifier are all inside.

What resolution does it handle?

Hi-res up to 24-bit and 192kHz, including FLAC and MQA.

Is there a headphone output?

Yes, and it is one of the features owners mention most on a product like this.

What awards has it won?

A Stereophile Recommended Component listing for 2024, and an Absolute Sound Golden Ear award in 2022.

Can I add more rooms later?

Yes. Add another BluOS player and the two work together as one multi-room system.

See It in Action

Our own comparison of the POWERNODE Gen 3 against the N331:

And Andrew Robinson sets one up from scratch:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about streaming amplifiers, multi-room audio, or building a compact system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.