I have been happy with the SQ from my 272 but been a little frustrated by its streaming limitations. So I’ve added a Bluesound Node Icon to my system. For a fairly modest cash outlay, I can stream Tidal at 192/24 and have the option of trying Qobuz. I have tried it as a streamer only (connected to the digital coax input on my 272) and as a streamer/ dac using the analog outs on the Node Icon. To my surprise I preferred the latter, using the dual ESS dac chips in the Node Icon. Music, to my ear, sounded a little richer and the bass response was much fuller. As Bluesound recommend using the balanced XLR outs I had an XLR to 5 pin DIN cable made up and it is an improvement over RCA to RCA. I know this goes against advice offered on this forum as going from balanced to single ended negates any advantage. I just received a Chord 5 pin DIN to RCA cable I will also try as a comparison to the XLR-DIN. I believe the uptick in SQ (compared to the RCA -RCA cable) is due to Bluesound using superior components in the balanced outputs. The comparison to the Chord cable will sort that out.
The BluOs app is great as well.
Glad you are happy. The Icon is getting great reviews.
Ignore ASR
Seemingly, there are QC issues with the current batch of Icons. User reviews are few & far between, most are ‘professional’ efforts. Bluos is dependent on TuneIn for Internet radio, eugh! No chromecast, no upnp
All manufacturers have QC issues of some sort (Naim…most Hilines and FW updates anyone?).
App is great and user friendly to me.
It can still connect to NAS files as most users would want.
Sound for pound? Good value, it will sell well as the Node does.
The Internet radio provision is too USA oriented… TuneIn is useless for many stations, eg BBC. No BBC Sounds service, no podcasts. No way to cast or use as Lyrion client (unlike the Wiim Ultra which has built in cast & squeezelite). Overpriced.
As a Bluesound Node N130 owner, i’m really curious about the new Icon, so great to reads an owner / user review.
Have you tried Dirac and/or bass management high and low pass filters (if you have a subwoofer in your system)?
I have purchased the dirac upgrade but I haven’t been able to source a umik 1 microphone locally. Will order one I guess (I was hoping to rent one). I don’t have a sub. My Studio Electric standmounts put out a decent amount of bass.
Could I enquire as where you had your 5pin din to xlr cable made as I would like to have a similar one for 4 pin din to xlr cable to connect my Nap 200 to it
I have an N130 and recently purchased an Icon. Both were connected to my Nait 5si. The N130 is now boxed and the Icon is connected to a NAD D3020 in my office.
The Icon definitely sounds better than the N130, but that is to be expected with it’s dual DAC design. Functionally it is basically the same as the N130. I am not a fan of TuneIn and it does n’t have uPNP. But other than that, the BluOS platform is working great.
Before the Icon, I was using a laptop connected to the NAD D3020 using USB (using the NAD DAC). The Icon is now connected using RCA (not using the NAD DAC). The difference in sound quality is like night and day. I am very happy with it.
My main system in the living room has a Nait 5si and a ND5XS2. I had the Icon connected using RCA to compare it with the ND5XS2. Well, the ND5XS2 is better in sound quality, staging etc. But that is also to be expected, I guess.
Anyway, I am happy with the Icon and the improvement over the N130.
That’s great to read you are enjoying the Icon after swapping out the N130 - thanks for sharing your thoughts. Are you using the Icon to read locally store files at all?
The dealer nearby has recently received the Icon and he’s putting it through its paces, and so far he’s enthusiastic. He did mention that my combination of Rega DAC-R and N130 would give it a run for its money in terms of musical enjoyment, but would be a different sound presentation and final choice would come down to personal preference. I must admit that the idea of one less box is appealing when going from 130 / external DAC to the upgraded twin DAC Icon.
There is basically only one way to find out. That’s demo the Icon at your dealer or preferably even at home. So, you can hear it for yourself.
I have a network share to my laptop connected that I sometimes use to listen to ripped CD’s. But these are ripped at a relatively low quality for use on my mobile phone.
I mostly use TuneIn or Quboz, while I am working.
Yes, clearly, a side by side dem is the only way to assess whether the Icon is a worthwhile replacement for my two box digi rig. Although, this will be a way down the line as I want to concentrate funds towards either upgrading my phono stage, or possibly a better integrated amp - Rega Aethos, Exposure 3510 and the next Supernait will be the prime candidates.
I am curious if there will be a successor to the Supernait 3 and what it will be like. Would be a great step up from my Nait 5si. Enjoy the research for that integrated amp!
I don’t know where you are located. My cable guy is in Vancouver, Canada. You can find him on Canuck Audiomart under SoloGB.
Thanks Rap I,m in the UK!!
Will continue my search closer to home 
Had the same issue as you and got a icon also, great to now its not just my ears, that there are others that feel the same.
Have you tried the icon as pre to a power amp?
I think a Chord dealer can sell you one, Chord cables make all sorts of adaptations
I haven’t tried the node icon as a streamer dac preamp. I am quite happy with my 272/XPSdr as a pre. As much as the icon punches well above it’s price as a streamer dac i doubt it would best the analog section of the 272/XPSdr . I am excited about the dirac room correction and looking forward to testing once I source a mic.
Hello.
I have node 2 with linear psu as transport to ndac 3.rd part psu. In future the transport will be replaced. Nd5xs2 or node icon as transport.
Has anybody compared?
Regards Hannu.