Newbie - Streaming Recommendations

Rereading your post, I see that you want to stream Apple Music to your existing system.  I use a Bluetooth DAC from Audioengine when I stream from my phone.

A simple way to get what you want would be to just add a Sonos Connect.  Your setup would go like this:

SonosConnect -> C2600 -> MC275

Use the Coax out from the Sonos Connect to the C2600.  This will bypass the onboard DAC in the Connect and use the DAC in the C2600.  You also need to set the Connect output to FIXED via the Sonos app.

Now you can just use the Sonos app to stream your Apple Music and any other streaming service available via Sonos.  Note Sonos does not support hi res streaming... but you aren’t using that anyway via Apple Music.  Enjoy.

Thanks for the feedback... I actually just looked into switching to Tidal, so now I'm looking back at the Node 2i.

I really like the features and functions of the Cambridge Audio Azur 851N, but it doesn't support MQA or Airplay 2.

There is a big difference etween streaming “Apple Music for background listening “ which is a compressed source that it’d seem like you will be scrutinizing for sound quality, and streaming Tidal.  When you figout just what it is that you want to do, then perhaps ask for help

Fair point Mahler, but part of being a newbie is not fully knowing what one's options are. Frankly nearly all the devices I was researching were touting Tidal, so I looked into it, and realized the HIFI membership was only a tad more expensive than what I was already paying for Apple Music.

Reviewing depths of your prior posts I see you're very knowledgable, and appreciate your response. 

Would I be far off thinking that perhaps the Node 2i is where I need to be looking to support, both 'casual' Apple Music streaming, Tidal HiFi/MQA streaming, playing my current music collection from disk (ALAC), as well as Apple 2 compatibility for multi-room support, which in retrospect is more clearly what I want to do.