Bluesound, known for their budget friendly streaming audio products, has lowered the price bar with the new POWERNODE EDGE.
You can think of the POWERNODE EDGE as the little brother to the Bluesound POWERNODE. The EDGE offers 40 Watts of output power from the company’s DirectDigital amplification technology as compared to the POWERNODE’s 80 Watts of HybridDigital power. The basic difference being DirectDigital amplifies a digital PCM signal, while HybridDigital amplifies an analog input using switching modulation.
Connectivity wise, the EDGE offers Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Ethernet, Two-Way aptX HD Bluetooth, a combo Mini TOSLINK/Stereo 3.5mm input, HDMI eARC (think TV), RCA Subwoofer output (Wireless to PULSE SUB+), a single set of 5-Way Binding Post Speaker Terminals, and USB for Fat32 Formatted storage.
Dare I say, the EDGE is pitched as fitting into a lifestyle that includes interests in addition to music:
Like every Bluesound product, the EDGE comes loaded with the company’s BluOS, making streaming (up to 24-bit/192kHz) and multi-room playback a breeze via the free BluOS app.
The new POWERNODE EDGE is available for pre-order now (release date: October 3, 2022) for $649 directly from Bluesound.
Key Highlights of the POWERNODE EDGE (from Bluesound):
- DirectDigital™ Amplifier Platform
- 40 Watts Per Channel Into 8 Ohms
- Quad-Core 1.8GHz ARM® Cortex™ A53 Processor
- HDMI eARC, Optical & Analog Audio Inputs
- BluOS™ Wireless Multi-Room Music Capability
- App Control with Adjustable Audio Settings
- MQA Music And Hi-Res Audio Streaming
- Airplay 2 Integration
- Works With Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi + Gigabit Ethernet
- Two-Way aptX™ HD Bluetooth
- Wireless Headphone Output
- Wired & Wireless Subwoofer Output
- IR Remote Learning Capability
- Front Panel Touch Controls
- Compact 1U Form Factor
- Easy Four-Way Mounting System
- Black Or White Finish