Lindemann has announced the third member of its Woodnote product line : the Woodnote Bridge, a network player with purely digital outputs. The Woodnote Bridge is a minimalist streaming device that focuses entirely on its core task, namely transmitting digital music data to subsequent components as purely and unadulteratedly as possible.
Unlike the Woodnote Combo, released in late 2024, the Woodnote Bridge deliberately does not have an integrated onboard DA converter. Instead, the streaming bridge functions as a high-quality source for external DA converters, amplifiers, or active speakers with a digital input. This purist approach is primarily aimed at achieving one thing: maximum signal purity without unnecessary compromise of data integrity.
Lindemann relies on a series of targeted technical measures to optimize the digital signal flow. A MEMS femtoclock provides the clock pulse, while various jitter reduction steps and synchronous resampling are intended to further increase signal stability.
Despite the minimalist design of the Lindemann Woodnote Bridge, the streaming transport offers a wide range of connectivity options: in addition to classic digital outputs such as AES/EBU, RCA, and Toslink, there are extra inputs for daisy-chaining external sources. Furthermore, an HDMI eARC interface enables direct integration with a television – a feature that is becoming increasingly important, particularly in living room setups.
The power supply is linear. Lindemann is known as a lover of high-quality switching power supplies, but for the Woodnote Bridge, the designers have used a linear power supply with an R-Core transformer. Furthermore, as Lindemann themselves state, there is consistent galvanic isolation between the streaming and output stages to minimize interference from this side as well.
Moreover, the Woodnote Bridge is not very power-hungry. With a power consumption of approximately 5 Watts during operation, the Lindemann Woodnote Bridge streams quite energy-efficiently.
The Lindemann Woodnote Bridge will be available later this month and will retail for $1,650.
