The audio equipment journey that led me to being a NAD / Bluesound owner has been bitter sweet. Earlier years had me in a position where I was able to experience and own some of the best audio kit available in both dedicated stereo music and home theatre rooms. Life happened. Divorce and employment loss swiftly dealt it's financial blows, forcing some hard decisions to let go of my high-value kit. I progressively recovered from it all, now back in a very happy space with the most wonderful woman in my life, and recovering the financial losses.
At the time, I had already been a Bluesound owner almost since the brand's inception. Earlier BS Nodes were used in the entertainment area, and I was suitably impressed with the ease of use and effectiveness for the purpose intended. As newer models came out, I would replace them, later only using a Powernode for sheer simplicity, great bang for buck and ease of installation.
Despite having had some amazing systems, being left with only these simple products led me to using them in my primary system. Applying all the knowledge and experience I have gained over many years in audio, I went on a mission to extract the best out of the system. In summary, I ended up with something that exceeded all of my expectations, leaving me pondering many audiophile beliefs that even I was a purveyor of.
The primary system consisted of a Powernode connected (ARC HDMI) to the TV, a pair KEF LS50 Meta's, a single (2 x 9 inch / 1000W) KEF KC92 sub, set up in a fairly well acoustically treated room. A system that changed my perspectives greatly and can be read about in a previous post. Having read up about BS multi-channel Dolby surround capabilities, I engaged with the importers about compatibility to get local insight. They were somewhat intrigued as they had not tried it, but acknowledged that all but the earlier models had the capability, but had not tried it themselves. An expensive purchase at nearly 12k for a surround speaker, I decided to give it a go and purchased two BS PulseM powered speakers for use as surrounds. The install was very simple, and the result once again, exceeded my expectations.
The capabilities of BS and BluOS saw me expand deeper into networked home audio. Another Powernode made its way into the master bedroom, paired with some old Jamo Classic 8's I picked up in mint condition for relatively small change. This low cost combo is stupendously good for the money!
I later purchased the NAD C700 as a potential upgrade for the primary system over the Powernode. It looked more premium with its front panel display and classier build, plus was also BluOS enabled so would integrate seamlessly. The intent was to take the replaced Powernode back to the entertainment area system, but this was not to be.
Essentially, the NAD C700 is a premium version of the BS Powernode. Matched amplification and BluOS platform, but with different DAC implementation and a pretty screen. What I discovered during installation was that the C700 was not capable of Dolby Digital multichannel decoding, making it incompatible with the installed BS surround sound speakers. Disappointed somewhat, the C700 became the entertainment area machine. It's a great little unit, but wasn't able to integrate with my needs. Audibly, I really don't find anything much to note between the two.
I added a BS Hub to the system, serving as an impressive little phono stage for my turntable, also adding the capability to network stream the turntable signal to any other BluOS device in the home, as well as any other analogue/digital source connected to it. It's a pretty useful function.
The first bits of information launched mid 2024 about Bluesound launching a new line of products, with the premium audiophile-grade Node Icon catching my attention. I followed the launch info, watched all the reviews as and when they came out, did my homework and decided it was for me. I would need a power-amplifier to replace the living rooms' self-powered Powernode, so bought a NAD poweramp to fit the bill for when the new Icon became available. The Icon was to be used as the preamp in the new configuration.
The brand new Icon was set to arrive from the first week of February 2025. I confirmed with the importers the advertised Dolby decoding capabilities, prepared the new wiring configuration, and placed the order for the first arriving unit. The much anticipated unit arrives and I look forward to installing and hearing the upgrade.
Before going to the trouble of a clean and tidy more permanent install, I decided to first power up the unit separately to configure into the network and do the firmware updates. All goes smoothly. Now to configure the HT grouping for multi-channel surround... device does not show up as compatible, just as did the NAD C700. I repeated this a number of times, though I already knew what was the case.
The Importers were contacted with the support of the selling distributor, but met with a screenshot from the Bluesound website showing Dolby compatible devices, the new Icon not listed as one of them. The funny thing was that the screen shot was dated 5 months earlier, prior to the release of the Icon. A more current screenshot from the website was sent as a response, indeed showing the Icon to be on the list. The website also refers to its Dolby capabilities as a statement. I packed back up right away, as this was not going to meet my requirements.
Lots of debate followed with the importers justifying this non-capability to do so. In fairness, their argument is that of the manufacturer's response, not necessarily them being in agreement. In short, its Dolby decoding down to 2.1 channels, less capability than the old Powernode which does it into multi-channel outputs.
I didn't even get to testing the unit for its noted 2ch capabilities. However good it may be, this is a let-down and shortcoming for what is intended to be their flagship model. Lenbrook ridiculously noting that the only new amplified BluOS devices will do multi-channel, whilst non powered items will not, leaves me bewildered. They use the very same everything, with the addition of an onboard amplifier. Why differentiate?
I am sure the unit is really good in all other aspects. I'm just really disappointed that I won't be able to experience it due to their shortsightedness.
Item has been sold on, fortunately negating the proposed handling fee to return the unit. Another frustration.
At the time, I had already been a Bluesound owner almost since the brand's inception. Earlier BS Nodes were used in the entertainment area, and I was suitably impressed with the ease of use and effectiveness for the purpose intended. As newer models came out, I would replace them, later only using a Powernode for sheer simplicity, great bang for buck and ease of installation.
Despite having had some amazing systems, being left with only these simple products led me to using them in my primary system. Applying all the knowledge and experience I have gained over many years in audio, I went on a mission to extract the best out of the system. In summary, I ended up with something that exceeded all of my expectations, leaving me pondering many audiophile beliefs that even I was a purveyor of.
The primary system consisted of a Powernode connected (ARC HDMI) to the TV, a pair KEF LS50 Meta's, a single (2 x 9 inch / 1000W) KEF KC92 sub, set up in a fairly well acoustically treated room. A system that changed my perspectives greatly and can be read about in a previous post. Having read up about BS multi-channel Dolby surround capabilities, I engaged with the importers about compatibility to get local insight. They were somewhat intrigued as they had not tried it, but acknowledged that all but the earlier models had the capability, but had not tried it themselves. An expensive purchase at nearly 12k for a surround speaker, I decided to give it a go and purchased two BS PulseM powered speakers for use as surrounds. The install was very simple, and the result once again, exceeded my expectations.
The capabilities of BS and BluOS saw me expand deeper into networked home audio. Another Powernode made its way into the master bedroom, paired with some old Jamo Classic 8's I picked up in mint condition for relatively small change. This low cost combo is stupendously good for the money!
I later purchased the NAD C700 as a potential upgrade for the primary system over the Powernode. It looked more premium with its front panel display and classier build, plus was also BluOS enabled so would integrate seamlessly. The intent was to take the replaced Powernode back to the entertainment area system, but this was not to be.
Essentially, the NAD C700 is a premium version of the BS Powernode. Matched amplification and BluOS platform, but with different DAC implementation and a pretty screen. What I discovered during installation was that the C700 was not capable of Dolby Digital multichannel decoding, making it incompatible with the installed BS surround sound speakers. Disappointed somewhat, the C700 became the entertainment area machine. It's a great little unit, but wasn't able to integrate with my needs. Audibly, I really don't find anything much to note between the two.
I added a BS Hub to the system, serving as an impressive little phono stage for my turntable, also adding the capability to network stream the turntable signal to any other BluOS device in the home, as well as any other analogue/digital source connected to it. It's a pretty useful function.
The first bits of information launched mid 2024 about Bluesound launching a new line of products, with the premium audiophile-grade Node Icon catching my attention. I followed the launch info, watched all the reviews as and when they came out, did my homework and decided it was for me. I would need a power-amplifier to replace the living rooms' self-powered Powernode, so bought a NAD poweramp to fit the bill for when the new Icon became available. The Icon was to be used as the preamp in the new configuration.
The brand new Icon was set to arrive from the first week of February 2025. I confirmed with the importers the advertised Dolby decoding capabilities, prepared the new wiring configuration, and placed the order for the first arriving unit. The much anticipated unit arrives and I look forward to installing and hearing the upgrade.
Before going to the trouble of a clean and tidy more permanent install, I decided to first power up the unit separately to configure into the network and do the firmware updates. All goes smoothly. Now to configure the HT grouping for multi-channel surround... device does not show up as compatible, just as did the NAD C700. I repeated this a number of times, though I already knew what was the case.
The Importers were contacted with the support of the selling distributor, but met with a screenshot from the Bluesound website showing Dolby compatible devices, the new Icon not listed as one of them. The funny thing was that the screen shot was dated 5 months earlier, prior to the release of the Icon. A more current screenshot from the website was sent as a response, indeed showing the Icon to be on the list. The website also refers to its Dolby capabilities as a statement. I packed back up right away, as this was not going to meet my requirements.
Lots of debate followed with the importers justifying this non-capability to do so. In fairness, their argument is that of the manufacturer's response, not necessarily them being in agreement. In short, its Dolby decoding down to 2.1 channels, less capability than the old Powernode which does it into multi-channel outputs.
I didn't even get to testing the unit for its noted 2ch capabilities. However good it may be, this is a let-down and shortcoming for what is intended to be their flagship model. Lenbrook ridiculously noting that the only new amplified BluOS devices will do multi-channel, whilst non powered items will not, leaves me bewildered. They use the very same everything, with the addition of an onboard amplifier. Why differentiate?
I am sure the unit is really good in all other aspects. I'm just really disappointed that I won't be able to experience it due to their shortsightedness.
Item has been sold on, fortunately negating the proposed handling fee to return the unit. Another frustration.
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