Although the new Bluesound POWERNODE (model N331) looks the same as the previous POWERNODE (model N330) from 2021, the 2025 refresh brings some innovative new features we haven’t yet seen from competitors. For starters its got upgraded DirectDigital amplification over its predecessors HybridDigital design, which allows it to work in 2-channel stereo mode (100 watts per channel) or 3-channel mode (80-watts per channel). This extra channel can be used to power a center speaker in a home theater setup when connected to a TV via eARC.
Tip: Streaming amplifiers combine the functions of a digital music streamer with those of an integrated amplifier, while adding a DAC, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth. They’re an all-in-one component — just add speakers.
Making Home AV Simple
Bluesound’s philosophy is that today’s music listeners aren’t just looking for the latest tech — they want products that blend seamlessly into their daily lives. The new POWERNODE addresses this need as it is not just a stereo amplifier, it is a complete home audio system that offers access to streaming content and easy TV connectivity right out of the box – just add the speakers of your choice.
The POWERNODE limits the need for the clutter and confusion of multiple boxes, remotes, or wires.
With support for HDMI eARC and the ability to add a center channel speaker alongside left and right channels, the POWERNODE eliminates the need for bulky AVRs. It also has wireless surround capabilities. Just add Bluesound PULSE wireless speakers and a PULSE SUB+ to build a full 5.1 surround system.
From Matt Simmonds, Product Manager, Bluesound: “With the new POWERNODE, we’re not just delivering hi-res audio,…We’re delivering a new way to experience music and home entertainment — one that’s powerful, flexible, and designed around how people actually live.”
Better Amps – More Channels
The 2025 edition of the POWERNODE features an updated circuitry design with signal path improvements, Bluesound’s latest DirectDigital amplification, and gallium nitride (GaN) transistor technology, delivering 100 watts per channel in stereo mode and 80 watts per channel in a 3-channel system configuration.
Bluesound claims its upgraded amps offer clear, dynamic sound with virtually no distortion—the kind of detailed fidelity that Bluesound customers have come to expect. Whether it’s music track subtleties or a big film soundtrack, the 2025 POWERNODE is designed to provide nuance, depth, clarity, and control.
Multi-Room Music with BluOS
As with all Bluesound products, the POWERNODE incorporates BluOS, a multi-room streaming platform.
BluOS supports more than 20 streaming services, including TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer, and provides access to high-resolution formats up to 24-bit/192kHz, MQA, and DSD256 playback.
Users can access and stream personal libraries, internet radio, or sync music across multiple rooms using other BluOS-enabled products.
The BluOS Controller app, available on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, provides a smooth and intuitive way to browse, control, and enjoy music from anywhere in the home.
Exterior Design
The new POWERNODE features refined industrial design with a sleek, compact form factor that is available in either matte black or white. A glass touch panel with a proximity sensor offers responsive controls and five programmable presets, allowing users to instantly start playback without picking up a phone or tablet. Whether it’s placed on a credenza with bookshelf speakers or integrated into a full home entertainment system, the POWERNODE is designed to visually blend in with your room.
Key Features Summary
- Upgraded DirectDigital Amplification delivering 100W x 2 or 80W x 3 with center channel support for flexible system configurations.
- HDMI eARC and BluOS support easy integration and the ability to access your favorite music streaming services and apps.
- In addition to HDMI-eARC, other physical connectivity options include a USB-C audio input, optical and analog inputs, aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, and 6.3mm headphone output powered by a dedicated headphone amplifier with THX AAA linear headphone amplification technology.
- A glass touch panel with a proximity sensor and five programmable quick touch presets provides easy ways to set your listening preferences.
- The 2025 POWERNODE is Dirac Live Ready for precise room correction and audio tuning. A license fee payment is required for use.
Comparison
| Brand/Model | Bluesound POWERNODE N331 (2025) | Marantz M1 (2025) | Eversolo Play (2025) | WiiM Amp Ultra (2025) |
| Product Type | Streaming Amplifier | Streaming Amplifier | Streaming Amplifier | Streaming Amplifier |
| Price | $1,199 | $1,000 | $699 | $529 |
| Supported Audio File Formats | MP3, AAC, WMA, WMA-L, OGG, OPUS | WMA: up to and including 192 kbps AAC & MP3: up to and including 320 kbps, | APE, MP3, AAC, AIFF, CUE | AAC, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, WAV, WMA, and more |
| Supported High-Quality Audio File Formats | WAV, FLAC, ALAC, MQA, AIFF, MPEG-4 SLS | WAV, FLAC, ALAC | WAV, FLAC | WAV, FLAC |
| DSD Support | DSD256 (11.2 MHz) | DSD64 (2.8 MHz) DSD128 (5.6MHz) | DSD (DSF/DFF/ISO) up to DSD512 | Details Forthcoming |
| Multi-Channel Audio | Dolby® Digital | Dolby Digital+, Dolby Digital, LPCM Stereo PCM / Multi-channel PCM | PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit | PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit |
| Room Correction | Dirac Live Ready (requires license) | Dirac Live Ready (requires license) | Eversolo Room Correction | Room Fit |
| Max Sampling Rate | 192 KHz | 192 KHz | 768kHz | 384kHz |
| Max Bit Depth | 24 bits | 24 bits | 32 bits | 32 bits |
| Control App | BluOS Control App | HEOS Built-In | Eversolo Control | WiiM Home App |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 102 dB | 105 dB | 108 dB | 120 dB |
| THD | 0.005% | >0.05% | >0.0037% | THD+N -106 dB |
| Amplification | DirectDigital™ | Class D | Class D | Class D |
| Power (8 ohms) | 2 x 100W 3 x 80W | 2 x 100W | 2 x 60W | 2 x 100W |
| Power Supply | Universal 3-pin AC cord input (100- 240VAC) | Universal 2-pin AC cord input (100- 240VAC) | Universal 3-pin AC cord input (100- 240VAC) | Universal 3-pin AC cord input (100- 240VAC) |
| Ethernet/LAN | Ethernet RJ45, Gigabit 1000 Mbps | Ethernet RJ45, Gigabit 1000 Mbps | Ethernet RJ45, Gigabit 1000 Mbps | Ethernet RJ45, Gigabit 1000 Mbps |
| Wi-Fi Built In | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band | WiFi 5 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) | WiFi version not indicated | WiFi 6E |
| Streaming Support | BluOS AirPlay 2 Spotify Connect Tidal Connect | HEOS® Built-in AirPlay 2 Spotify Connect | TIDAL Connect Qobuz Connect | Spotify Connect TIDAL Connect |
| Roon Ready | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.2 aptX Adaptive | Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Two-Way (transmit & receive) | One Way (receive) | One Way (receive) | Two-Way (transmit & receive) |
| IR Optical Built In | IR Sensor Built In – front panel with IR Remote Learning | IR Sensor Built In – front panel | IR Sensor Built In – front panel | IR Sensor Built In – front panel |
| IR Input | 3.5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack | None | None |
| Optical/Analog Input | Toslink Optical, RCA Analog, 3.5mm Optical/Analog Combo | Toslink Optical, RCA Analog | Toslink Optical, RCA Analog | Toslink Optical, RCA Analog |
| Phono Input | None | None | Yes – MM/MC | None |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Input | HDMI eARC | HDMI eARC | HDMI ARC | HDMI ARC |
| USB In | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Output | 6.3mm/1/4″ Stereo, Bluetooth | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Subwoofer Output | RCA x 1; Wireless to PULSE SUB+ | RCA x 1 | RCA x 1 | RCA x 1 |
| Speaker Terminals | 5-Way Binding Post | 4-Way Binding Post | 5-Way Binding Post | 5-Way Binding Post |
| Finish | Black or White: Matte Satin Paint | Black | Black | Space Gray, Silver |
| Dimensions (WHD) | 8.7 x 2.75 x 7.5 in 220 x 70 x 190 mm | 8.54 x 3.31 in x 9.41 217 x 84 x 217 mm | 9.1 x 3 x 9.1 in 231.1 x 76.2 x 231.1 mm | 7.9 x 2.58 x 7.9 in 207 x 73.7 x 207mm |
| Weight | 4.18 lbs (1.9 kg) | 4.84 lbs (3.3 kg) | 5.7 lbs (2.59 kg) | 5.4 lbs (2.45 kg) |
Bottom Line
The new Bluesound POWERNODE appears to deliver a little something extra over its competitors, but those extras come with a price premium. However, it’s one of the most powerful compact streaming amplifiers on the market, incredibly easy to use thanks to the BluOS app, and works across the BluOS ecosystem for multi-room music control. Then tack on its 5.1 home theater capabilities, and the POWERNODE becomes one of the most innovative new audio products of 2025.
Price & Availability
The 2025 Bluesound POWERNODE (N331) will be available for pre-order August 12, 2025, for $1,199 USD (tariff adjusted) and $1,399 CAD in either black or white. It’s official release is set for September 10, 2025. Buy it now at Crutchfield.
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Anton Tomasso
June 27, 2025 at 7:23 am
Interesting. I do like the 3.1 option because of the compact nature of the design.
Is this the first Bluesound product to feature GaN?
Price isn’t terrible.
Ian White
June 27, 2025 at 7:32 am
Anton,
The 3.1 connectivity option seals the deal for me if it has enough power for the Q Acoustics 3000c Series.
I do wish more manufacturers would offer this option.
IW
Catherine Lugg
June 27, 2025 at 1:45 pm
Wow. This is what I’ve been waiting for. Merry Christmas to me (I won’t get this until December). Thanks so much for the detail. The Powernode Node Edge is a Direct Digital Amp, which I like very much. It was tricky to get the sub dialed in, but eh. Thanks again!
Ian White
June 27, 2025 at 3:46 pm
Catherine,
I may bite as well. Have more than a few center channel speakers doing nothing at the moment with the accompanying bookshelf speakers.
Would love to do a 3.1 system in my bedroom.
Ciao from Sicily at the moment.
IW
Geoffrey de Brito
August 27, 2025 at 8:03 pm
Traditionally, Bluesound’s ‘house sound’ has been on the ‘warm’ side with an emphasis on tonality rather than resolution. Though my impression is that resolution has improved with each new model. If the implementation of the new amp and internal DAC is as hoped for, then resolution will no longer be an issue. If that turns out to be the case, then some ancillary upgrades may well elevate the SQ even further. The iFi LAN Pro Galvanic Isolation Ethernet Filter and Vera-Fi Audio’s affordable Power “solutions’ come to mind. Plus, for those using sub(s), the high/low pass functionality of the BluOS is not to be underestimated.