Upcoming Bluesound Icon Node vs other well known and good sounding DAC/streamers


I'm a fan of Bluesound and their app. I use Bluesound as the second system in the house and it's always trouble free and user-friendly. Early in my journey, the Node was my streamer/DAC. Nowadays I have a Lumin S1 but I really like this upcoming Icon model from Bluesound. It's not out for another month or 2, but wondering if any member here might have info/ scoop on it? I'm wondering if it can compete with the better-known, more expensive and great sounding DAC/streamers out there that have been around a little while. I'm thinking about grabbing one as soon as they are released, but also trying to avoid spending  money on it just to find out my existing Lumin S1 sounds better. At least they have a 30 day return period. 

veerossi

You have a Lumin S1? That's one of the best DAC/Streamers ever made in my opinion. Keep it if for nothing else than the dual Lundahl LL7401 output transformers! The Icon Node is going to have a 5" inch screen on it, but so what? Most of us use a tablet as our controller. The Icon also has Sabre's most recent ESS DACs but again I doubt they will sound much better than the multi SABRE32 Reference DACs in the Lumin S1. 

Most?

I use my phone or an old one. I have tablest but I cannot be bothered to boot  one up.

@sbayne I'm kinda thinking the same thing too, but there's only one way to find out for sure. I'll update this after it happens.

Blue sound is  a entry level streamer , the $1500 innuos would be a huge upgrade 

which is the entry level for innuos  for most applications a ddc reclocker 

coming from usb computer or streamer a major upgrade ,for blu node for sure 

also from router a LPS power supply a major step up infidelity  for the cheap $5 wall wart just adds more noise digital is not grounded coming into the house      linear tube audio $700 on Audiogon best LPS under $1200 and excellent DC cable 

@audioman58 Have you listened to the Bluesound Icon or are you basing "entry level" off of what we know about the rest of their products? 

For the linear power supply, I had a good experience as well on one of my previous Dacs. The one I used was SBooster.