I too am wondering if the streaming section of the new Bluesound Icon is significantly improved from the Bluesound Node 2i that I am presently using. I'm using the Bluesound for the OS; it's the only OS that supports both of the streaming services that I use, Amazon HD and Idagio.
My Node2i has been moded with a Teddy Pardo LPS which made a significant SQ improvement. I'm using the SPDIF Coax out into a PS Audio Directstream DAC Mk1 moded by APS transformers. My guess is that most of the improvement in the Icon is in the DAC section, and would not see much SQ improvement over what I now have, but I would like to have that comfirmed if possible. For now, I will spend the money instead on a Denafrips Hermes or Gaia DDC, which from what I've read from multiple sources WILL significantly improve SQ.
I too wish Bluesound would produce a audiophile quality streamer only. I know there will be a lot of disagreement on this next statement, but I think that their OS is the best of any of the streamers; it supports the largest number of services, and it's intuitive to use and very stable.