By all accounts the DAC in the node 2i is no different to previous generations, just the cable routing internal is better and the 5g wireless capability lessens chance of any dropouts.
However even though I had option of wireless on both my Aries and Ayon DAC I always ran hard wired so never had any dropouts.
Whatever you decide if you have ability to feed it a hard line I think you will be better off in the long run.
So if you are not even going to use a Node internal DAC and can run a hard line, then pick up a Node 2 from eBay around $300 max.
Bluesound into Bryston DAC while not giving you full MQA unfolding will still sound awesome IMHO.
However even though I had option of wireless on both my Aries and Ayon DAC I always ran hard wired so never had any dropouts.
Whatever you decide if you have ability to feed it a hard line I think you will be better off in the long run.
So if you are not even going to use a Node internal DAC and can run a hard line, then pick up a Node 2 from eBay around $300 max.
Bluesound into Bryston DAC while not giving you full MQA unfolding will still sound awesome IMHO.