Bluesound node Icon Vs Eversolo DMP A6 Master Edition sound quality comparison?

[damo]

What your pick and why, only interested in sound comparison.

 

[RTHerringbone]

Realistically, few people worldwide will have listened to both and so your chances of getting many responses are quite low. This review of the Node Icon is quite interesting though, as it's clearly being compared to the much cheaper WiiM Ultra, and the differences are considered to be very noticeable in favour of the Bluesound (which you'd expect with the price difference):

Bluesound Node Icon: A Streamer Worth Stretching Your Budget For | The Ear

I initially set up the Node Icon in my bedroom via wifi and the listened with the Sendy Peacock headphones that I usually use with a Chord 2Go/Hugo2

the-ear.net

And this is another very complimentary review:

https://www.avforums.com/reviews/bluesound-node-icon-streaming-preamp-review.22492/

And a further one, as I've been mulling this streamer as well:

View: https://youtu.be/MMpXGuG8DCw?si=Eq_IqXbfpTPXuOV9

 

[daytona600]

Bluos out for years tried and tested platform, Eversolo new kid on the block
Can you demo at your local hifi shop or home loan

 

[Vincent Kars]

This is the A6 (not the master). Looks like a excellent performer.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/eversolo-dmp-a6-streamer-review.44198/

Couldn't find measurements of the ICON. Hope it improves on the Node: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/bluesound-node-review-streamer.25578/

 

[Vincent Kars]

Found the ICON: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ound-node-icon-quick-user-measurements.60798/

 

[Al ears]

Found the ICON: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ound-node-icon-quick-user-measurements.60798/

I believe at this price point and above, measurements are pretty much secondary to usability.

 

[Witterings]

I believe at this price point and above, measurements are pretty much secondary to usability.

Personally I'm not a believer in measurements on their own, so many of the Chinese / Topping products meaure incredibly well but people say they're cold, sterile and characterless.

I do look at the measurements and if something measures really badly I'd be cautious so I kind of use them in reverse if that makes sense and would be "warey" of products that measure badly but there's no way I'd take good measurements as gospel they're the best.

Warmth / character is often better than clinical and sterile ... even if erring towards the less than perfect side.

 

[Al ears]

"Warmth / character is often better than clinical and sterile ... even if erring towards the less than perfect side."
....probably why I still like vinyl. 🙂

 

[damo]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. This weekend, I dedicated time my CD and vinyl-only listening session and decided to cancel my Tidal streaming account. I'm taking a break from streaming, though I'm still unsure if it will be short or long-term. It feels strange knowing my subscription will end in a few weeks, especially after being subscribed to various services for over 15 years.

I have to admit, I enjoyed my hi-fi setup more than ever this weekend and had a fantastic time rediscovering my personal physical collection. To my ears and in my system, CDs and vinyl definitely sound superior—more engaging, with a lively, toe-tapping quality.

Again cheers for everyone replies.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

I’ve bought an Icon today to try out.
Great price too from 7oaks

 

[manicm]

I would hold off until reviews of the Eversolo A6 Mk2 come in. Or if you can audition too. Seems there's never been a better time to buy a streamer in this price bracket until now.

There's also the Eversolo A6 Master Edition Mk2 out for a few hundred quid more.

But if you want Dirac/room correction then it's the Icon only.

 

[davidf]

I've compared an A6 and a previous model Node - the former just sounded thin and uninvolving. Node sounded better.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Been up and running with the new Node Icon now for a couple of days…
I am afraid to say this, but it has absolutely blown me away.
I had suspected it would offer a simply bigger screen screen than Ultra (needed that) and sound no different as I had B2Bd my EXN100 against the Ultra, but the Icon is a step beyond both the Ultra AND the considerably more expensive EXN100!
it’s an organic sound.. Almost analogue and the soundstage and dynamics are next level..
I am blown away… I didn’t expect a noticeable difference, but the difference is unbelievable….
The dynamic swing and grip it is delivering has redefined streaming for me..
I’ve not even looked at EQ or DIRAC yet, but I do suspect some of my hifi will get reshuffled to suit..I’m not averse to the software either.
Streammagic is poor.
WiiM app is great..
BluOS has features (playlist) I like but lacks behind WiiM.

But for sound quality alone, just buy an Icon…. Deary me….

 

[nopiano]

Been up and running with the new Node Icon now for a couple of days…
I am afraid to say this, but it has absolutely blown me away.
I had suspected it would offer a simply bigger screen screen than Ultra (needed that) and sound no different as I had B2Bd my EXN100 against the Ultra, but the Icon is a step beyond both the Ultra AND the considerably more expensive EXN100!
it’s an organic sound.. Almost analogue and the soundstage and dynamics are next level..
I am blown away… I didn’t expect a noticeable difference, but the difference is unbelievable….
The dynamic swing and grip it is delivering has redefined streaming for me..
I’ve not even looked at EQ or DIRAC yet, but I do suspect some of my hifi will get reshuffled to suit..I’m not averse to the software either.
Streammagic is poor.
WiiM app is great..
BluOS has features (playlist) I like but lacks behind WiiM.

But for sound quality alone, just buy an Icon…. Deary me….

Is that without any DIRAC filters or anything, just ‘straight through’?

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Is that without any DIRAC filters or anything, just ‘straight through’?

No EQ at all…….
To be fair I have almost perfect speaker positioning but the difference between the Ultra and Icon is impressive…

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Think I may well move the NAIT 50 , RP6 and Icon into main room into the TX9s….
It’s that good….

 

[nads]

Still no BBC Sounds on the BluSound interface which is getting a bit boring.

 

[Will1962]

I've owned the icon around 1 month and I also was blown away how good this unit sounds. The dac in the icon sounds noticeable better than my Hegel H190 IAM using Dali menuet se speakers in this set up.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

I've owned the icon around 1 month and I also was blown away how good this unit sounds. The dac in the icon sounds noticeable better than my Hegel H190 IAM using Dali menuet se speakers in this set up.

Yep…..it’s a step up in performance over all streaming units I’ve listened too over the last few years..

 

[Witterings]

I've owned the icon around 1 month and I also was blown away how good this unit sounds. The dac in the icon sounds noticeable better than my Hegel H190 IAM using Dali menuet se speakers in this set up.

Yep…..it’s a step up in performance over all streaming units I’ve listened too over the last few years..

I'd love to compare the Icon to my Nano going USB out to a Chord Qutest, I've only recently bought this combo which is amazing but if the Icon on it's own competed I could probably sell the 2 and just have the one unit.

My biggest regret which I didn't think about whne buying the Nano was not buying the Node.
The main reason is conevience, I have various WiiM's in various multiroom scenarios with voice commands. It would have meant I could have used the optical out on the WiiM in my main listening area, into the Node's optical in then they both would have gone out via USB to the same DAC and one input on the amp as well.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

the Node ICON is a bit special.
I can only assume the way they have configured the 2x MONO DAC circuit and tuned the pre-amp circuit in development has paid dividends.
combined with a reasonably decent display, the BluOS app [pretty good i like it, like the playlisting] and the price [half of what my EXN100 cost] as well as the fact Radio Paradise meta data and album art is diplayed makes my purchase [i paid £750 new] a result.
Cambridge StreamMagic interface is average at best and I hate the fact no album art displayed on Radio Paradise.

 

[RTHerringbone]

The guy who listens through graphs rather than ears does NOT like the ICON:

Bluesound Node Icon Streamer Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Bluesound Node Icon Streamer, DAC and Preamplifier (ADC). It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $999. I can't say I am overly impressed by the design as it kind of looks plasticky. There is a nice large display but doesn't support touch...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

does NOT like the ICON is highly exaggerated

He says:

Conclusions
It is clear Bluesound has taken a major step forward in design of Node Icon. Alas, they didn't quite get the job done with the horrible choice of DAC reconstruction filter and to some extent jitter and interference in output stage. Analog input is good. Headphone output is mediocre to acceptable depending on your headphone impedance and sensitivity.

Because of the choice of DAC filter, I cannot recommend the Bluesound Node Icon. Company needs to revise this especially since it is just a firmware choice. Should they do this, it would go on my recommended list.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

mine sounds fantastic.
but I guess it doesn't based on the measurements on ASR.
I'm a believer in sound over specs. as was Julian 🤣 🤣 🤣

 

[davidf]

does NOT like the ICON is highly exaggerated

He says:

Conclusions
It is clear Bluesound has taken a major step forward in design of Node Icon. Alas, they didn't quite get the job done with the horrible choice of DAC reconstruction filter and to some extent jitter and interference in output stage. Analog input is good. Headphone output is mediocre to acceptable depending on your headphone impedance and sensitivity.

Because of the choice of DAC filter, I cannot recommend the Bluesound Node Icon. Company needs to revise this especially since it is just a firmware choice. Should they do this, it would go on my recommended list.

But as with all products, it is designed as a whole, just like loudspeakers. Sometimes a manufacturer will choose a technically inferior aspect over a superior one because it benefits the product as a whole. But of course, people who base everything on measurements don't get that.