A Bluesound Node 2i is a great place to start. Don’t do the multiple unit/whole house thing, because they are more prone to failure when bought in multiple units. Irish compatible with every streaming service imaginable and the supplied DAC is adequate. If you take to streaming than it will be worth a few hundred bucks to upgrade the DAC. The best feature about Bluesound is the BluOS app.
Digital Front end for Dummies
Have been an analog guy and will likely continue to be but am getting fiber optic Internet (I live in the middle of nowhere so this is a big deal) and am interested in developing a digital front end. My goal is really just to have a streaming set up, either Tidal or Qobuz, with a solid DAC. My dilemma is that I don't want an all in one as I feel like I'd rather have the opportunity to change DAC's later if I want. I also don't want to lay out a pile of money all at once. Wondering if I should get something like a Bluesound Node 2 to start and then add a DAC later or go with a less expensive front end like an Audioengine B-Fi and spend more on a DAC like a used Ayre Codex, Schiit Gungnir, or Denafrips Area II. Rest of my system is:
Rogue Audio RP-7Rogue Audio M180 monoblocksVandersteen Quatro Woods
Rogue Audio RP-7Rogue Audio M180 monoblocksVandersteen Quatro Woods