Bluesound Node 2

yes and yes

One is enough.

Which model do you have? You mentioned Node 2 but that’s really old. Do you have the newer Node 2i or the newest Node (just “Node” no number)?

My experience is with the Node 2i and ethernet is definitely better. The wifi chip is noisy with EMI/RFI affecting the sound quality so you want that wifi off. I could hear an improvement after several days of 24x7 fully powered after each time I de-powered my Node 2i. I thought it might be the wifi chip transmitting to “look” for a network.

So I did a support request with Bluesound to find out how to turnoff the wifi chip and they said it will automatically shutoff after 5 days of ethernet connection. If you de-power your Node 2i the wifi chip will start transmitting/receiving again.

There’s been a couple firmware updates since then so it’s possible they may have changed this process.

in addition, it’s likely you’ll get fewer music dropouts if you use ethernet. If you’ve got it, use it.

I also have a NAD AV receiver with a Bluesound module. The Bluesound control software sees both if the AV receiver is powered on. The Node 2i stays fully powered 24x7. The two BS systems do not talk to each other but both can talk to the BS control app.