Bluesound POWERNODE 2 Wireless Multi-Room Streaming High-Res Amplifier – Black

The only reason this does not get 5 stars is that the app that controls it can be a little finicky and has very little in the way of documentation. But then again, I am from a generation that uses manuals. Perhaps other people will not find this annoying. Once you get the hang of the app, it's OK. Anyway, it took me an hour or so of fiddling to get it all synced up. There is sometimes some confusion as to various preset settings when going between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi music streaming. I have to make sure that the BluOs app and another apps, say Spotify, are streaming through the same input. If not, there can be dropouts or no sound at all. Also, If one uses USB sticks or has a Wi-Fi sync to iTunes, make sure to reindex if you add any new material or insert a different USB drive. This is fairly obvious but on one occasion the unit failed to "forget" a previous USB drive and kept looking for the data. I had to unplug the Powernode for ten seconds to reset it. That has never happened again.The volume control on the BluOS app is overly sensitive and produces abrupt changes in volume. I find it is better to use the controls in Spotify or on my iPhone for smoother volume changes. Also, do not expect there to be any functional EQ on the BluOS app. What EQ controls are included are not worth using. I have found that the iPhone EQ in the Spotify app does not function when streaming over Wi-Fi. One has to stream via Bluetooth or Airplay to use the EQ, and Bluetooth is inferior sound quality and the Powernode 2 does not have Airplay. There may be third party apps to solve this problem but I have spent much time researching. Well-mastered music on a good system should require no EQ adjustments, but some people may not like this.Enough said about the app. The Powernode 2 itself is very good. The unit is elegant. It is compact; it takes up little room at all and, with the exception of a turntable, precludes the need for peripherals such as a DAC or a receiver (I stream podcasts and rarely use radio).The amp is rated at 60 watts X 2 @ 8 Ohms. I was going to buy some 4 Ohm speakers (Elacs) but felt that this might tax the amp too much, so I drive KEF Q150 8 Ohm speakers. However, other folks use 4 Ohm speakers with the Powernode 2 and are very happy. There is an output for a sub, but I have not used it as I am very happy with the bass response. The sound is very good. The amp is clean and has plenty of power for my apartment. I cannot hear any negative amp coloration on the sound. Everything is crisp and clear. I could not be happier with the sound quality.One reviewer here has complained that the Powernode 2 is obsolete. I suppose that depends on how you want to use it. I stream my hi-fi music from either Wi-Fi or direct from a USB drive, and there is an input for a turntable/CD player. Although Bluetooth is not great for hi-fi, it's fine for podcasts off of my iPhone. The biggest negative for some people is that the Powernode 2 does not have Airplay, which has some downsides which I already mentioned. However, I don't care, even with the EQ limitations. The music sounds great. I don't care about having it hooked up to my TV or Alexa or anything else, really. It's my stereo. If I really want to hook up my TV, I can use the optical port. Again, it's about what you use it for. My music stereo is separate from my TV and I like it that way. If you must have Airplay. You can pay the extra $$$ for the Powernode 2i. For me, it made perfect sense to buy a refurbished older model and save some money.For me, this unit is far from obsolete and I will be happily listening to my music through it for years to come, as long as Bluesound keeps the app current!

I absolutely love this thing. Out of the box, I had it up and running in 10 minutes, connected to my new ELAC Uni-fi UB5 Slim Bookshelf Speakers and my Elac S10EQ powered subwoofer. The optical input doubles as a stereo mini analog input, so plugging in my Stanton turntable (which has its own built in phono preamp) was a snap too. Connecting the Powernode 2 to WiFi was effortless, and so was connecting my iPhone with 7000+ songs via Bluetooth. Within 20 minutes I was playing songs from my iPhone and records from my Stanton turntable. It couldn’t be easier!How does it sound? Well, Bluesound’s sister company is the legendary NAD audio company, so I knew it would be the quality and sound I’d come to expect from NAD.With a built-in 60wpc amp, this gorgeous little box should power just about any passive efficient speaker you plug into it. (Especially ELACs!!!)I’m so hooked that I’m buying their 2Tb music server / CD ripper!I love it!

The Powernode 2 does NOT support Amazon Alexa and Apples home automation system, despite the units ability to upgrade its own firmware. My PowerNode2 was purchased just 8 months ago and is already made obsolete by the PowerNode 2i. When purchasing a higher priced audio unit one expects that the investment will be able to keep up with a couple years of technology changes. Clearly, this is not the case with Bluesound products. If you are not a fan of designed obsolescence and cyber trash then I recommend avoiding Bluesound products.

Very good ！

Where to begin? I have had many Hi-Fi systems over the years, but due to a lack of space I have started moving to smaller devices. At first I went the Denon route - the RCD7 and DRA-100. Then I decided to move to this after reading the online reviews. On opening the box, it's tiny. I immediately had doubts that anything this small could produce decent music, but how wrong I was!Setup was very straightforward and quick. A quick software update then it found my NAS drives straight away with no fuss.Three things about this product really stand out:1. Sound Quality. It has so much clarity and definition, I don't think I have ever heard anything like it before. Easily beats all my previous systems in terms of sound quality. The difference is just night and day. I still don't understand how such a small box can produce such accurate sounds.2. Power. It's on less than 1/4 volume and it's already too loud!3. Instant playback. Just pick a song, press play and it is instantly on. Never had this happen to songs streamed off my NAS before.I'm not sure how many thousands of pounds you'd have to spend to better this system, but I'm guessing a lot.The best bit? I can add additional speakers from their range to make it multi-room too!Amazing device - worth every penny.

A very expensive solid red led which never changes (Should be green) very poor instructions.Spent an hour trying everything i could find online to solve the problem but it just doesn't do anything.Its being returned.