Dirac Live Now Available on Select Bluesound Node Streamers!

At the beginning of summer 2024, Bluesound made the exciting announcement that some of its upcoming products would support Dirac Live room correction. (See our article Dirac Live Is Coming To Bluesound!) Then, in late September, the company announced three new wireless music streamers: the fun-sized Node Nano ($299), a new “standard” Node ($549), and a larger flagship called the Node Icon ($999). Bluesound explained that the slim and compact Node Nano would offer “only the essentials to transform existing HiFi components and home audio devices into powerful music streaming systems,” while the new standard Node would provide the connectivity and functionality we’ve come to expect from Bluesound’s popular streamer, but with significant upgrades that would affect sound quality. Meanwhile, the flagship Node Icon would tempt audiophiles with a dual-mono DAC design, balanced XLR outputs, and a 5-inch color display — a first for Bluesound. From the jump, we were told that the regular Node and Node Icon would be Dirac Live Ready. But in November of 2024, when all three new Node models were on store shelves, Dirac was still unavailable. Presumably, Dirac and Bluesound were still working out the bugs in the implementation. But now, in early 2025, Bluesound has made good on its promise. The new Node (a.k.a. model N132) and the Node Icon (model N530) are officially Dirac Live Ready, and owners can now purchase licenses for their Nodes directly from Dirac. A free firmware update began rolling out on January 14, 2025, making the Nodes compatible with Dirac Live. But before we dive into Dirac and what’s needed to make it work, let’s take a brief look at the new family of Node streamers, starting with the Node Nano.

Bluesound Node Nano

The all-new Node Nano features a new DAC section based on the very capable ESS SABRE ES9039Q2M DAC chip, the same that you’ll find in the standard-sized Node. So the sound quality of the two units should be very similar. (And from all accounts I’ve heard, they sound excellent — a substantial upgrade from the previous Node.) But because of the Nano’s tiny chassis, there’s no HDMI input — or any physical inputs, apart from Ethernet. There’s also no subwoofer output, nor a headphone jack. The Nano is designed for users who won’t miss those features, and are simply looking for a basic streamer with high-quality analogue and digital outputs. It features RCA, Coax, Optical, and USB outputs, and a simple backlit front touch panel for quick control and access to two programmable presets. For many setups, that might be all you need. Add a Nano to a pair of powered speakers and you’re ready to stream. It’s also perfect for adding wireless streaming to an existing system with its own connectivity. Perhaps owing to lower onboard processing power, the Node Nano is not able to support Dirac Live room correction. For that, you’ll need to look at the Nano’s larger siblings.

Bluesound Node

The new “classic” Node is fully equipped with digital and analog inputs and outputs, making it more versatile than the Node Nano. Users can connect it to a TV using HDMI eARC, or connect a phono preamp to its analog input, and spin vinyl. It features a built-in IR learning for universal control and a proximity-sensing touch panel with up to five programmable source presets. The subwoofer output can be configured inside the BluOS app, which handles bass management in addition to streaming audio from virtually every source imaginable, including Tidal, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Roon. In addition to its new DAC, this version of the Node improves upon its predecessor by offering THX AAA headphone technology, the leading headphone amplifier technology for the most linear response. This tech uses a patented feed-forward error correction system to deliver “exceptional sound with remarkably low noise and distortion,” according to Bluesound. The headphone jack is now a full-sized ¼-inch jack. As of right now, the $549 Bluesound Node is one of the least expensive devices on the market that can provide Dirac Live room correction (with a separate license purchased from Dirac).

Bluesound Node Icon

The flagship Node Icon includes all the features of the standard Node, with some significant additions. Its dual-mono DAC design uses a pair of ES9039Q2M DAC chips, delivering even higher performance. The performance of the DAC section is further enhanced by MQA Labs QRONO technology, which reportedly corrects timing errors in the digital-to-analog conversion process. The Icon is also the only Node to offer balanced XLR outputs, and it sports dual headphone outputs. Meanwhile, the unit’s analog inputs are treated to high-performance analog-to-digital conversion, thanks to another ESS chip, the two-channel ES9826 SABRE ADC. This ADC section is said to minimize noise and distortion in the signal path, resulting in “true-to-source analog audio with the convenience and versatility of digital,” according to Bluesound. Of course, the first things you’ll notice about the Node Icon are its larger aluminum chassis and attention-grabbing 5-inch color display.

The Node Icon represents a new pinnacle in wireless streaming, crafted for those who demand nothing but the best for their music. Every aspect of its design has been engineered to perfection, from the revolutionary Dual-Mono DAC design featuring ESS SABRE technology that delivers unparalleled sonic clarity, to its stunning aluminum chassis and 5-inch full-color display. The Node Icon isn’t just a streamer; it redefines stereo components for the next generation of HiFi streaming.

— Morten Nielsen, Associate Product Manager at Bluesound

How to Add Dirac Live to your Bluesound Node Streamer

Owners of the new Node and Node Icon who are interested in adding Dirac Live can purchase Bluesound’s reasonably-priced Room Calibration Kit ($39), designed and approved for Dirac Live calibration. The kit includes a high performance omni-directional microphone, which Bluesound says is sensitive to the full audible frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The mic connects to any laptop via a USB-A 2.0 connector, and features driverless operation for both Windows and MacOS. The kit can be purchased from authorized Bluesound dealers globally, or from bluesound.com. Alternatively, you have the option of using a different calibration mic, such as the popular UMIK-1 ($79) from MiniDSP. Of course, you must also separately purchase a Dirac Live license. Dirac currently offers three different licenses for the Node streamers. Dirac Live Limited ($159) corrects audio below 500 Hz. Dirac Live Full ($249) corrects the full frequency range. If you have already purchased the Limited version and you want to upgrade to Full, you can buy an upgrade license from Limited to Full ($99). Licenses are device-specific and are available from Dirac.com.

It would have been great to see Dirac Live’s powerful Bass Control feature as an option, since both the Node and Node Icon have (single) subwoofer outputs and built-in bass management. Perhaps this will become available later, or perhaps these devices lack the processing power necessary to handle it. But there’s one very exciting feature that will be music to the ears of audiophiles who already own a separate DAC that they love. According to Morten Nielsen, Associate Product Manager for Bluesound, the company’s engineers were able to implement the Dirac filters before the Nodes’ internal DAC sections, so users with separate DACs can send a Dirac-corrected digital signal from the Node’s digital outputs to their DAC’s digital inputs, and enjoy all the benefits of Dirac Live while still enjoying the sound of their favorite DAC. Nielsen said that this was a commonly requested feature, and that the company was “happy to be able to deliver (Dirac Live) in this way.”

This launch is important to us since Dirac Live has been one of the most requested features from Bluesound customers due to its unique room correction methods that result in more transparent, balanced sound, and tighter bass and enhanced clarity.

— Matt Simmonds, Product Manager for Bluesound

We know that Bluesound has very passionate customers who love great sound, and we are pleased to be able to introduce Dirac Live to a new device category — streamers — for the very first time. This allows music lovers to elevate their existing audio setups — even those without built-in Dirac Live — by simply adding a Bluesound streamer.

— Rikard Hellerfelt, Dirac’s VP of Consumer and eCommerce

What’s next for Bluesound and Dirac?

While the news that the new Node and Node Icon are now officially Dirac Live Ready is great for the fortunate few who own these latest streamers from Bluesound, there’s something even more exciting coming later this year. According to Bluesound, the older 2021 Node (model N130) will also become Dirac Live ready, along with the NODE X (N131), POWERNode (N330), and POWERNode EDGE (N230) after a firmware update coming sometime between now and summer of 2025. These popular products are owned by countless audiophiles and music-lovers around the world, and the fact that Bluesound is adding a feature as significant as Dirac Live compatibility up to four years after their release is definitely something worth applauding. It’s not hard to imagine that many existing owners of these products might be curious enough about Dirac Live to spend a few hundred bucks to try it out, especially since this technology was only available in much more expensive gear just a few years ago. This also means that cost-conscious shoppers who are new to Bluesound and Dirac might be able to save some coin by buying the older 2021 Node, which is on sale for as little as $349 (at Crutchfield) as of the time of writing. While it may not sound as good as the newer Node, the old model is no slouch, and the delta between the two models will be significantly reduced if using the Node’s digital outputs to connect to a separate DAC or integrated amp (or receiver) with digital inputs. Take the $200 you saved and put it toward that Dirac Live license!

More information: Dirac for Bluesound