Bluesound Powernode 2i

In recent issues we have been enjoying a series of samples from Bluesound’s ecosystem — first the hard-drive-equipped Vault, last issue the Pulse Mini wireless speaker, and here in this group of smart amplifiers, the Bluesound Powernode. As with the others this is now in its ‘2i’ version, which takes another step beyond the major redesign of version 2, adding updates to pretty much every corner of the range.

So the Powernode is a streaming amplifier, with USB-A, optical and analogue minijack inputs, plus Bluetooth, and access to “all the world’s music”, as Bluesound puts it, through the Wi-Fi and Ethernet networking options. The 2i version has been re-engineered inside for improvements in DAC and audio quality, and in addition to all the streaming services from online and your own files across the network up to 24-bit/192kHz high-res, there is now two-way Bluetooth using the latest Bluetooth 5.0. This means you can not only stream music using Bluetooth to the Powernode 2i (the higher quality aptX HD is available if your phone supports it), you can also have the Powernode play to your favourite Bluetooth headphones, say (while there’s also a headphone output for direct connection)