Bluesound Powernode

Yes. Totally agreed. You know, I have both the Node and the Powernode. Powernode is not playing integrated power, as speakers are directly connected. I hear better separation, detail and bass. When the Node runs more so as a preamp, interconnects produce less of favorable sounds. 

I had to return the Powernode to the Seller. Too much quirkiness. It was switching the presets on its own, from the HDMI eARC back to radio stations, and giving bad feedback, sound ominous, as I listened.

I switched my mind set from thinking about the Node X, keeping  the Node, and buying a NAD C136BEE instead. Happy 😊 No issues, and the Node covers all three bases including homeplate… other streamers cost more to operate where there are too many subjective variables to waste a bunch of money on DAC streamers that really don’t make that much of a difference for me.