Knowing now how much difference a DAC can make, I would not think that beyond the DAC I would be able to hear any difference between the Node models. I might convince myself I could hear differences, but I'd be lying to myself.
Difference between Bluesound Node, Node 2, Node 2i, NodeX
Audiogoners.
I love the Bluesound user interface Is the only difference between the different Node models the DAC portion?
Which would indicate that if you use coax out to an external DAC all Node models would sound the same through the speakers.