Just installed a bluesound node 2i , quality not so good

https://darko.audio/2018/08/ethernet-or-wifi-which-is-better-for-high-end-audio-streaming/

This article explains the process better than I’m able to do. There are many other articles also on the subject online. So to answer your question, yes this is a “hardwire” connection. I also have the issue of my router being in another room, and much to my wife’s chagrin, I have optic cable running across a hall and under a foyer rug. However this isn’t  the first time I’ve caused her distress with my audio hobby. I will eventually pull cable up into the attic and down inside the wall to my rig, but I live in Florida and I’ll be damned if I’m doing that in late August/September. So as best as I understand, the advantages of the bridge are as follows:  one being a much faster data transfer than WiFi, two it galvanically isolates the connection, and lastly eliminated RF/noise from long runs of Ethernet cable .

Try connecting the Node2i with digital, toslink or coax instead of analog to the Marantz.

I'm not following how it addresses the scenarios where the hardwire connection to the router is not possible due to location logistics.

It does not.
In fact you now have two extra powered devices, the sender and the receiver for the fiber optic cable.
You still need to run the fiber optic cable so if you have problems running a hard internet line due to logistics this is not going to be any different.
However it should be better than wifi and possibly the hard internet line if you can run cable .

I guess I could as I ran a new cat7 75ft cable from my server upstairs down to a new unmanaged switch downstairs in my music room.
Could replace the internet cable run with fiber optic but I doubt I am going to try at this stage

+1 @jjss49 
I went back and forth with my node from internal to external dac many, many times, on a variety of speakers. There is a difference that is unmistakable. That said, the internal dac isn't terrible and everyone has their own systems and tastes.

I agree with you hilde45, it is not horrible. I ran my Node,and then my Node 2 for a good 3 years or so with just the internal DAC. A couple of those was just with Spotify. When I moved into hi res streaming via Qobuz and Tidal,I was very pleased with the increase in sq.  I think for a lot of folks,the internal DAC is adequate. I still think it’s a great value for an all in one solution.