Интегральные усилители — Bluesound POWERNODE (2025)

The POWERNODE with model number N331 is the third generation of the streaming amplifier from Bluesound, the Canadian brand built around the BluOS multi-room platform. Bluesound announced it on 24 June 2025 at USD 1,199 or CAD 1,399, and the current Canadian list price is CAD 1,599. The main change against the stereo-only N330 is a third amplifier channel, so the same compact box can run a left, centre and right speaker array for a television as well as a plain stereo pair.

Key specs that matter

Rated output is 100 W x 2 into 8 ohm in stereo mode, and 80 W per channel when all three channels are in use. IHF dynamic power reaches 140 W at 8 ohm and 265 W at 4 ohm. THD+N sits at 0.005%, with 102 dBA signal-to-noise. Playback covers 16 to 24 bit up to 192 kHz, DSD256 and MQA, plus Dolby Digital decoding. Wired inputs are HDMI eARC, Toslink optical, RCA analogue, a 3.5 mm combo socket and USB-C for a computer, while a USB-A port reads external storage. The case measures 220 x 70 x 190 mm and weighs 1.9 kg, and buyers choose white or black matte satin paint for the case.

Engineering and use context

Amplification uses the DirectDigital platform with GaN transistors, and the unit can configure itself for either stereo or three-channel operation. A Stereo Surround mode upmixes two-channel material, and grouping with other BluOS players extends a system towards 5.1. The headphone socket moved from 3.5 mm on the previous model to a 6.35 mm jack fed by a THX AAA amplifier. Network links are dual-band WiFi 5 and gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth 5.2 carries aptX HD for transmission and reception, so the amplifier can receive from a phone or send to wireless headphones. Qobuz Connect, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2 are supported natively, the unit is Roon Ready, with over 23 services reachable in the app. The top is a touch-sensitive glass panel with a proximity sensor, five preset buttons and an LED volume slider, and a learning IR input plus Crestron, Control4, RTI, Nice, URC and Lutron drivers cover custom installs.

Pairing

With its power reserve and dynamic headroom into low impedance, the amplifier suits bookshelf and compact floorstanding speakers connected through the 5-way binding posts. A television joins over HDMI eARC, a record player with an external phono preamplifier connects to the RCA input, and bass can be added through the RCA subwoofer output or wirelessly with the PULSE SUB+.

Alternatives

The Bluesound POWERNODE EDGE is the smaller streaming amplifier in the range, rated at 40 W x 2 into 8 ohm in a 219 x 44.5 x 193 mm case with HDMI eARC.