NODE as just a streamer / Airplay device

I can recommend the Node2i as an excellent streamer.  I did not think much of the dac and bypassed it, but I understand the newer version has an upgraded dac.

I replaced it with a miniDsp SHD Studio because I wanted DiracLive dsp.  That it does, but the Volumio gui is decidedly inferior to the Bluesound gui.  So much so that I am looking once more for a streamer with dsp.  NAD?

The moral is that the gui is critical, and Bluesound has one of the best in the business.

The newest Node (130) works very well with a really good DAC. In may case, I'm outputting to a Denafrips DDC to Denafrips DAC.....so the USB port would not be available for a USB storage device.

I’ve got the Node 2 just streaming with an MHDT orchid DAC. The combo works really well. I plan to soon upgrade the Node 2 considerably by adding an external Teddy Pardo power supply bypassing the cheap internal power supply of the Node 2. Everyone that has gone down the external power supply route seems to think the results are well worth the expense. I considered the Sbooster, but Teddy Pardo now offers a kit where you can convert it yourself in maybe 20 minutes.

Yes. Go for it. I have had the Node 2i for a few years and over that span have graduated through 3 outboard DACs with increasingly great results. The Node as just a streamer, is a great option with easy and stable software. Mine's been extremely reliable. Add in the external DAC and you'll enhance your experience further. 

It costs twice the price of the Node but I would shell out for Cambridge Audio CXN 60.  It adds Chromecast, which blows away AirPlay.  It sounds better just a streamer than the Node, and is really great with Internet Radio, and has a good app.  It also has a very good DAC.