Hello Mark.
Don't think you can go wrong with a Bluesound Node 2i. I currently have 4 pieces of Bluesound kit in the house, including a Node 2i. I've been using them since 2014 beginning with the original Node N100.
With respect to your need for one more digital input:
As it so happens, the Node 2i has a digital input. I don't know if digital input is passed through to the digital outputs. If so, then your problem is solved. If not, then worst case is you can use the Node's internal DAC for one of your digital sources. Otherwise you'd have to purchase either a switch or splitter. I didn't see anything in the Node owner's manual. So you would either need to experiment, or perhaps better yet, put the question to the Bluesound folk over at bluesound.com.
With respect to providing a wired streaming signal,
here are some ways of providing an ethernet port without having to cut holes in the wall or fish cable:
- Establish a wifi mesh network. And then use rj45 port on mesh network hardware to establish ethernet connection for your main system. Could consider wifi mesh extender that could be used with existing router.
(estimated cost for hardware $150-$300)
- Utilize pair of powerline ethernet adaptors. This is a relatively inexpensive option. (less than $100 for hardware).
I myself was faced with the same problem when I got seriously into streaming back in 2014. My Gateway (combo modem and router) is on my lower level. My main rig is on the main level. I went the powerline ethernet route back in 2014 which I'm still using. I have been considering upgrading to a mesh network solution using a wifi mesh extender.
Don't think you can go wrong with a Bluesound Node 2i. I currently have 4 pieces of Bluesound kit in the house, including a Node 2i. I've been using them since 2014 beginning with the original Node N100.
With respect to your need for one more digital input:
As it so happens, the Node 2i has a digital input. I don't know if digital input is passed through to the digital outputs. If so, then your problem is solved. If not, then worst case is you can use the Node's internal DAC for one of your digital sources. Otherwise you'd have to purchase either a switch or splitter. I didn't see anything in the Node owner's manual. So you would either need to experiment, or perhaps better yet, put the question to the Bluesound folk over at bluesound.com.
With respect to providing a wired streaming signal,
here are some ways of providing an ethernet port without having to cut holes in the wall or fish cable:
- Establish a wifi mesh network. And then use rj45 port on mesh network hardware to establish ethernet connection for your main system. Could consider wifi mesh extender that could be used with existing router.
(estimated cost for hardware $150-$300)
- Utilize pair of powerline ethernet adaptors. This is a relatively inexpensive option. (less than $100 for hardware).
I myself was faced with the same problem when I got seriously into streaming back in 2014. My Gateway (combo modem and router) is on my lower level. My main rig is on the main level. I went the powerline ethernet route back in 2014 which I'm still using. I have been considering upgrading to a mesh network solution using a wifi mesh extender.