Bluesound Node 2

Swings and roundabouts The ‘2’ matches the rplay on hi-res streaming capability and has the edge on connectivity – but then there’s that price tag to factor in…

soundstage – every note taking up a distinct space.

A few moments later, with the clap-like electronic notes that leap forward, teeth and claws baring, the rplay captures the changes in intensity between the quiet bass notes and the striking, louder strikes. The Node 2 finds it difficult to contend with the Arcam’s dexterity, as its handling of dynamics falls on the gentle side in comparison.

In its own right, it’s an adequate performance, and the changes between the softer notes and the lightning-crackle synthetic sounds are well defined – but it seems to be holding back, not quite conveying the animation of the rplay. We play Paul Simon’s Diamonds On

The Soles Of Her Shoes and immediately hear a marked difference between the performances of the Node 2 and the rplay.

Bluesound’s streamer has a good ear when it comes to detail, and can dig down deep enough to convey the reverberations in the opening bass lick. But play the same track through the rplay and there’s a notably more nuanced and refined sound.

The texture of the bass guitar is far more sophisticated and lively, giving emphasis to the reverberations of each string. After the first few bars of that riff, Simon starts singing with a clarity, delicacy and crispness unrivalled here.

Change to a lower-quality stream and the characteristics remain consistent. The Node 2 does a decent job, helped in no small part by its easy-going tonal balance, yet it still doesn’t come within striking distance of the rplay, which ultimately provides a more nuanced listening experience.

Verdict

For anyone already invested in Bluesound’s multi-room systems, the Node 2 is a good – and more convenient – addition. Using the control app is a better experience than with its rival, and having Bluetooth connectivity gives it an advantage that Arcam’s rplay lacks.

But, even so, that price di erence is big. It’s rare that a product drops from a five star rating – which the Node 2 had in 2015 – to three stars. But, considering you can pay £170 less than what the Bluesound costs for a product that provides a better sound quality and offers similar features, it’s the only rating that seems fair.

For those who want to pick and choose the best product at each stage of their system rather than tie themselves to one brand, the rplay offers a more energetic, more sophisticated and more enjoyable sound quality, and one that we’d have no reservations in recommending.

The rplay received a What Hi-fi? Award last year for its talents – and, going into 2018, it remains at the top of its game.