Teddy Pardo Power Supply Upgrades for Bluesound Node Icon: Elevate Your Streaming Experience

Explore how Teddy Pardo’s power supply upgrades transform the Bluesound Node Icon, delivering richer sound, deeper bass, and a more natural digital music experience.

From Garage Inspirations to Audiophile Innovations

Great ideas often brew in the most unexpected places—a cluttered basement or a modest garage. Think about Steve Wozniak tinkering away or the raw creativity of Kurt Cobain. Audiophile legends like David Wilson and Dan D’Agostino also started their magic in humble settings. It’s this entrepreneurial spirit that drew me to Teddy Pardo Audio when I wanted to push the performance of my Bluesound Node Icon digital streaming DAC to new heights.

BlueSound Node Icon enhanced with Teddy Pardo power supply

Teddy Pardo, an Israeli hardware engineer inspired by the British audiophile DIY scene of the 80s and 90s, set out to build a superior power supply from his basement. Noticing how established manufacturers often cut corners on power supplies, Pardo focused on ultra-low noise, better isolation, and simpler gain circuits to elevate sound quality. Starting with his own Naim system, he soon expanded to designing power supplies that beat the noisy switch-mode variants common in digital gear.

Launching his company in 2008, Teddy Pardo teamed up with CEO Yair Furman to make high-end, musically engaging sound achievable for more audiophiles through affordable, high-standard upgrades.

Why a Better Power Supply Matters

Skeptical that a $485 power supply could make a real difference? I get it—I was too. But my personal journey tells a different story. Back in the early 2010s, I experimented with a DIY power supply for a Logitech Squeezebox Touch streaming DAC. The upgrade brought immediate improvements—richer textures, better instrument separation, and a wider soundstage. Though my first supply buzzed annoyingly, the sound gains were undeniable.

I then moved on to the Auralic Aries LE streamer’s linear power supply, followed by SBooster’s linear power supply for my iFi Zen streamer. Each step quieted the noise and made digital sound more organic. What I’ve learned is this: noise is the silent enemy of faithful digital music. Cutting it down almost always yields a more authentic, musical experience.

In my reference setup, a dCS Bartók Apex DAC paired with a Lina Master Clock delivers natural, believable music, and that sonic excellence became the benchmark for all my digital upgrades.

Why Teddy Pardo for Bluesound Node Icon?

Despite the iFi Zen’s charm, I craved the reliability and smooth connectivity of the Bluesound Node Icon. When I discovered Teddy Pardo was producing a custom linear power supply specifically for this flagship streamer, I was intrigued.

Yair Furman explained the core technology behind their SE power supply: the “Tedinator.” This fully discrete regulator—built without integrated circuits and three years in the making—employs ultra-low-noise JFET transistors. Its design, inspired by legends Nelson Pass and Walt Jung, delivers ultra-low output impedance and noise, crucial for digital devices with their “bursty” current demands.

Other technical highlights include:

• A low-impedance star-ground layout to cut ground noise and maintain signal purity.
• A custom oversized toroidal transformer (50-90VA) for stable, robust power.
• High-end parts like Japanese and Israeli capacitors (Rubycon, Panasonic, Vishay) and precision metal-film resistors.
• Specially crafted cables from multiple pure copper strands to preserve signal integrity.

Teddy Pardo sent me their DIY drop-in SE power supply tailored for the Bluesound Node Icon. Compact and lightweight, installation takes about 15 minutes but requires opening the unit’s clamshell casing—which voids the manufacturer’s warranty. However, Teddy Pardo Audio offers its own one-year warranty on the Icon and power supply post-installation. Plus, their U.S. distributor, Hardcore Hi-Fi in Indiana, supports service and repairs for high-end gear.

The Sonic Magic of Pardo Power

Even before the recommended 10-hour burn-in, the upgrade’s impact was striking. My audiophile buddy and I both agreed—the sound felt more relaxed and natural right off the bat. Listening to digital music can be a visceral experience: if your shoulders tense or your mind drifts, it’s often a sign of artificial or harsh sound. The Pardo upgrade immediately invited me to unwind and let the music flow effortlessly.

Worried that a softer sound might sacrifice detail or dynamics? Not here. The upgrade extended bass depth and texture, lifted upper frequencies with a natural bloom, and surrounded instruments with an airy quality reminiscent of a vintage vacuum tube upgrade. One of my notes even said, “this kit makes my system sound like I’ve installed a pair of pricier 300B valves.”

Piano recordings showcased the upgrade’s prowess. Anyone who’s heard a grand piano live knows its stunning harmonic complexity—from the resonant wood to the subtle felt hammer nuances. Poor digital playback can make a Steinway sound like a toy, but with the Pardo power supply, piano tone moved dramatically closer to the real thing. The richness, weight, and delicate fluidity of every note were palpable.

The upgrade also enhanced saxophones and guitars, making them sound remarkably lifelike—even audible from another room. Family and friends found themselves lingering longer, drawn to the tube-like warmth and accuracy.

Leveling Up: The Stage 2 Upgrade

Hungry for even more? Teddy Pardo offers a Stage 2 upgrade for the Bluesound Node Icon, performed by Morrison Agen at Hardcore Hi-Fi. This upgrade dives deeper, reworking both analog and digital power distribution inside the Icon. The stock power supply parts are bypassed to directly feed the unit from the Stage 2 SE power supply, which includes two extra rails and a custom umbilical cord tuned to the Icon.

While the initial DIY kit made a dramatic streaming upgrade, Stage 2 offers a more subtle but still noticeable enhancement. It deepens black backgrounds and enhances ease and detail, especially impacting the Icon’s internal DAC performance. For an extra $200, the upgrade is a solid investment for those seeking finer polish and micro-detail.

The Bluesound Node Icon’s dual ESS Sabre chips are used in everything from budget to ultra-high-end DACs, and the debate about their sonic impact is long-standing. My experience confirms that architecture and supporting parts, like power supplies, shape sound more than the chips alone.

Although I still adore the warm midrange of my Wavelength Audio Brick N2 NOS tube DAC, the Stage 2 Icon upgrade offers a wider soundstage and more nuanced micro-detail, proving its worth.

Listening to the Esbjorn Svensson Trio’s Viaticum album highlighted these gains. Tracks like “The Well-Wisher” came alive with richer tonal colors, natural rhythm, and a laid-back swing—qualities that stand out in Scandinavian jazz. The upgrade preserved detail while toning down harsh analytical edges, resulting in addictive musicality that kept me digging deeper into the album.

Final Thoughts: A Smart Audiophile Investment

In an era of astronomical price tags, Teddy Pardo Audio provides a refreshing alternative. Start with a dependable, affordable player like the Bluesound Node Icon, then elevate it with these meticulously crafted power supply upgrades.

The SE power supply turns a solid digital streamer into a powerhouse capable of competing with pricier DACs. And for owners of gear like Eversolo, WiiM, or Cambridge, Teddy Pardo offers customized power upgrades at modest prices by audiophile standards.

What’s not to love about boosting your music’s authenticity without breaking the bank?

Specifications & Pricing

• Type: Outboard ultra-low-noise power supply kit
• Output Voltage: 5V DC (for Node Icon)
• Output Noise: <1 microvolt (µV) under load
• Transformer: 50–90VA, model-dependent
• Dimensions: 7.09″ x 2.36″ x 5.51″
• Weight: 3.3 lbs
• Price: $485
• Stage 2 Upgrade: Internal parts and power distribution upgrade with same specs as supply kit
• Price: $699

Associated Equipment

• Loudspeaker: Klipsch Heresy IV
• Digital Source: Wavelength Audio Brick N2 NOS tube DAC with V-Cap ODAM capacitor and linear power supply upgrades; iFi Zen Stream
• Analog Source: Technics 1200G; Goldenberg Classic MC phono cartridge; Fosgate Signature phonostage; Flux Hifi sonic stylus cleaner; Degritter (v.1) Record Cleaning Machine
• Amplification: Korato KVP-20 linestage with Jupiter capacitor upgrade; Yamamoto A-09 single-ended triode amplifier; Quad 405 stereo amplifier; Conrad-Johnson Premier CA200
• AC Power: Shunyata Research Venom PS10 power conditioner; Shunyata Research Defender; Shunyata Research Alpha X NR, Delta NR, Alpha NR, and Venom power cords
• Cables: QED Revelation Signature speaker cables; Shunyata Research Venom RCA interconnects; and Shunyata Research Theta USB cable

“Due to the bursty high-frequency nature of how digital devices draw current, ultra-low output impedance is actually more important than ultra-low noise from a DC supply.”
— Yair Furman, Teddy Pardo Audio CEO

FAQ

• What makes Teddy Pardo power supplies different from standard ones?
  Their fully discrete regulator design, ultra-low noise JFET transistors, and precision parts selection create exceptionally clean and stable power tailored for digital audio.
• Is installation difficult and does it void my device’s warranty?
  Installation takes about 15 minutes and requires opening the Bluesound Node Icon’s casing, which voids its original warranty. However, Teddy Pardo offers a one-year warranty on the upgrade and unit after installation.
• Will the upgrade work on digital streamers other than the Bluesound Icon?
  Teddy Pardo offers custom power supply upgrades for a variety of digital audio products, including Eversolo, WiiM, and Cambridge models.
• How does the Stage 2 upgrade differ from the DIY power supply kit?
  Stage 2 modifies the internal power distribution and bypasses stock parts for even finer sonic improvements, particularly enhancing the internal DAC performance.
• Does this upgrade affect the sound signature or just improve clarity?
  It maintains detail and dynamics while making the sound more natural, relaxed, and musical, often compared to the warmth of vintage tube amplifiers.

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