Bluesound Node Icon

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.

I agree with your thoughts I don't think the Icon streamer will be much better than the Node.  

I also love the bluesound OS and the multiroom is excellent.

On the streaming side, Node Icon has no improvement over the 3-year-old model, Node 130.
They use the same processor - ARM® Cortex™ -A53, Quad-Core, 1.8GHz per core -, the wireless transmission is the same -Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band -,
On the Bluetooth side, it seems to be a real regression, Icon using Bluetooth 5.2 aptX Adaptive, and Node 130 Bluetooth with support for aptX™ HD, which codec is better...
Unfortunately, the power supply on Icon is the same as on Node 130...that is, a poor power supply...
And what is very important for digital outputs, the internal clock - this is the same, in both streamers
The USB output was not improved either in Icon
So, from a streaming point of view, things are exactly the same as 4 years ago...unfortunately...

@efoo the new Node 132 and Node Icon are said to have much better built-in power supplies than the older outgoing Node 130. So much so, that many say there is no reason to go out and buy a LPS for them. 

Take it with a grain of salt but some reviewers now say the $299 Node Nano sounds better than the old N130 and Node X did. 

After about 20 hours of run time in a an A/B comparison the new Icon DAC section is much improved over last gneration NODE, However little SQ improvement if using an external DAC (Marantz Ruby SACD with matching Ruby integrated amp, T+A 300 speakers, and Rel S510). The display and build quality for the Icon are nice. The Teddy Pardo power supply I installed on the NODE is a better buy for quality IMO.