Bluesound Powernode

Thanks very much for the responses.

I have a Powernode 2 in a second system, and I think it is a solid recommendation for a "small, simple" system.  First, it is a good sounding unit.  Second, the BluOS interface is very well sorted and user-friendly.

I have mine mated to Elac Debut Reference speakers and I am sometimes surprised at how good it sounds compared to my primary system.  My Powernode has also been dead nuts reliable with both wi-fi and ethernet connections.

Downsides?  Well, the price is now US$949, but the cost of all audio stuff has gone up recently.  

I only know the Vault And Node.  I did have the Bluesound boom box, forgot what they called that.  It stopped working about 1 day after the  warranty expired when it got hung up in the middle of an update.  So if you ask me, I wouldn’t get the PowerNode for the simple reason that the streamer and integrated amp are shoehorned into one box.  I realize that minimizing the box count is an attractive feature for a small system, but I think that for around $500 (pre pandemic money) you should be able to pick up one of those small integrated amps, which I would then partner with the Node or another small streamer.  Then if something happens to the streamer down the road you replace it without having to replace the whole shebang.

Thumbs up!