Boost Your Bluesound
Sbooster's new product redefines entry level
The Bluesound NODE gets super serious with Sbooster's new power supply upgrade.
So many of you know and love the Bluesound NODE, one of our most popular streaming DACs. It's often the first DAC to open people's eyes to the quality of good digital sound and to how much fun it is when you have a great app. The NODE is often a stepping stone to a reference source from Auralic, Aurender, HiFi Rose, or Lumin.
Many customers with top-flight turntables choose the NODE for casual listening, as it offers that stable, intuitive interface and good sound without cutting too much into the cartridge or tonearm budget. Finally, we have lots of happy customers who live with the NODE in a budget system, glad to have a comprehensive, small-footprint product that betters computer-based solutions.
Upgrade the Bluesound Sound
SBooster, seeing this price-conscious but sound-quality-aware customer segment, has developed a new product that takes the performance of the NODE to a very high level.
Introducing the Sbooster Active Interface Board (AIB). Used in conjunction with the 5-6 V Sbooster BOTW power supply, the AIB is a "maximalist" internal power supply design for the 2021 NODE (also known as the Node N130). It improves on literally every aspect of the stock power supply circuit, starting at the power connector. The AIB uses Sbooster's special C8 connector with gold-plated pins, hand-picked audio-grade components, and silver-plated OCC wires. The two-layer gold-plated PCB is made in Bulgaria.
Triple anti-oscillation circuits stabilize the AIB and NODE's internal power rails, and an advanced central grounding point creates a pure reference for the circuits. In addition, the Sbooster Decoy V2 is used to move internal RFI away from the audio circuitry.
The AIB sits inside the Bluesound NODE, and installation is easy and reversible, involving only a screwdriver. This "super NODE" is now powered using the 5-6 V Sbooster BOTW P&P Eco MkII. Your customers will enjoy a profound upgrade to this renowned streaming DAC, one that Wiebren Draaijer, owner/developer at Sbooster, says is a highly detailed sound with a 3D soundstage and powerful, deep bass response.
"In our opinion, we have lifted the playback quality of the Bluesound Node N130 to a level that is on par with music streamers that are many times more expensive," says Wiebren.
Sbooster's AIB is designed as a "maximalist" internal power supply for the Bluesound NODE.
Audio-Grade Components
Here are some highlights of the AIB design:
- Sbooster-style C8 connector with gold-plated pins
- High-purity silver-plated OCC wire
- Gold-plated PCB connector terminals
- Dual-stage non-inductive low-pass filter
- High-performance active filter
- High-performance hybrid capacitors
- Two-layer 2 oz gold-plated PCB with low impedance, made in Bulgaria
The Sbooster AIB is available by itself for customers who already have a 5-6 V external power supply. When purchased as a bundle, the 5-6 V Sbooster BOTW P&P ECO MkII comes with a special cryo-treated fuse.
Only just announced, we will soon have an early unit to try out, with inventory shipping in December. Look for our detailed report on the installation and improvements from the Sbooster AIB.
Sumiko Savings to Sing About
Want the bestselling Sumiko Songbird for a song? Sumiko is offering a trade-in offer of 20% off select Sumiko cartridges against any brand of moving coil cartridge.
From now to the end of 2023, send in your current MC cart and take $180 off the $899 Sumiko Songbird (high or low output) or $360 off the Sumiko Starling ($1,799). The Celebration 40 ($2,799) and Palo Santos ($4,499) are the other two cartridges in the promo, offering savings of $560 and $900, respectively.
Don't have a cartridge to trade in? Save 20% on select Sumiko cartridges for the same period. Before the clock rings in 2024, you can save on Wellfleet, Amethyst, and Blue Point No. 3 (high and low output).
All About the Naim Mu-so
The Naim Mu-so provides you with excellent sound whether you want to use the product as an office streaming setup, a soundbar for your home entertainment system that does a lot more than merely give you better sound when watching movies or TV, or even as a main system for those who are constrained by space at home. Kevin tells you all about this award-winning product from Naim Audio.
Top Sales and Deals!
Here are the noteworthy sales and offers we have going right now. Note: There are further terms and conditions; this is just a summary. To get all the details, contact our sales crew on website chat, via email (info@upscaleaudio.com), or call 909-931-9686.
PrimaLuna Tube Bundle: For a limited time, customers who order select PrimaLuna power or integrated amplifiers can choose to add, at a discounted price, a set of cryogenically treated KT120 or KT150 power tubes.
JL Sale: Take $400 off the JL Audio Dominion d110 10" subwoofer.