I have a Node N130. The DAC is not very good. The streaming function alone with an external DAC is good, and adding a linear power supply to the Node (minor surgery required) upgraded the sound with an external DAC to very good/excellent. I mean upgradeitis curing very good. So one route might be as suggested to add the best DAC you can afford now and a linear power supply from China with the Node 2 kit. Of corse this route does require a lot more cables, and my experience is that they all make a difference.
Another route to potential satisfaction on a budget has also been mentioned and that is one of the newer Nodes. I moved my office system to a public space and wanted a streamer to replace my laptop and Chord Mojo2 for streaming. Based on reviews, I chose a Node Nano over a Wiim product. I have to say it sounds terrific right out of the box. I added a iFi iPowerX 5V power supply I had lying around to replace the stock tiny switching cube and it now sounds really, really good. I don’t miss the Chord DAC at all which I am now using with headphones in my office, a win-win. I have ordered an R-core power supply ($108) to try with the Nano and will report back on whether that beats the iPowerX.
If the Nano is that good, I am guessing the Icon is also good/better sounding, although measurements I’ve seen indicate the Icon also performs much better as a streamer than as a streaming DAC. If that is the case in terms of perceived sound quality, you might be better off with those resolving speakers you have going with a good stand alone DAC and upgrading the power supply on your Node2.
kn