It's incredible to think Bluesound has existed for ten years now. Streaming High Definition audio has transformed the way we audiophiles listen to our digital music choices. For the past few years, the Bluesound NODE has been without doubt the best introduction to this, and at a very budget-friendly price. Over the years Bluesound has increased the fidelity with every new version of the NODE introduced, and now to celebrate the 10th anniversary, they have released the ultimate limited edition to celebrate; The NODE X.

Resplendent in it's limited edition silver finish, to mark it out from the standard NODE streamer, the NODE X has had it's audio performance turbocharged; the on-board DAC has been upgraded to a reference levels ESS Sabre DAC.

And headphone users take note, as symbolized on the front panel where the standard model's convenient headphone socket has been upgraded from a 3.5mm socket to the larger 6.35mm connection, hinting at a much more serious thought given to headphone amplifier quality. Behind the upgraded socket lies an upgrade in amplifier, with no lesser technology than from the World famous THX Labs, and their AAA (Achromatic Amplifier Technology) ensures what THX Labs claim to be the ultimate in a no-compromise headphone audio experience, with the highest levels of fidelity and the lowest distortion. The other handy little extra is the included remote control for the NODE X, a further upgrade in practicality.

The NODE has always been a bit of a 'Swiss Army Knife' in its approach. Especially given its ultra-compact dimension. Download the BluOS app to your mobile device, and you have a full-blooded streamer capable of accessing all your local audio files on your network, your PC, or via a hard drive or pen stick plugged into the rear of the unit. Even without the BluOS installed, the NODE's can stream from any Bluetooth-enabled device, up to 24-bit resolution is supported with the latest coding.

Apple users can enjoy the latest AirPlay, for lossless play from any Apple device. It is even possible to add other digital and analogue sources to the unit, handy if you have more than one Bluesound device, enabling easy multiroom set-up. The in-built DAC can even be used to upgrade your TV sound, with an up-to-the-minute HDMI channel for audio interfacing. Every streaming service is catered for within the Bluesound BluOS app, Spotify, and the higher quality master quality Tidal and Qobuz. MQA audio support has been native on Bluesound products since its introduction and of course 24 BIT 192Khz playback resolution. Comprehensive analogue and digital outputs are fitted too. If you can find a DAC to improve on the ESS Sabre fitted to the 'X... Internet radio is also embedded into the BluOS operating system. Did we say this really was a Swiss army knife!

The original NODE never fails to impress sonically. Given its low entry-level price, it is a real bargain. But the upgraded limited edition X takes the fidelity even higher, with more precision, and weight. Cleaner cut sonic details and a much more precise sound image. The normal NODE is a seriously amazing piece of kit for a very modest price, but the limited edition X takes it to another level.

Our Node X is on demo, so pop along to our Manchester store to take a look and have a listen.