Any “value” competitor streamers vs Bluesound Node 2i?

Guess I will throw the best ( IMHO) sub $100 option out into the room. Although a friend said prices have risen of late on eBay but still....

Google Chromecast Audio.

Sadly discontinued but no idea why.
Hockey puck size but streams up to 24/96 very reliably.
I have two of them.
Google Home makes setup a breeze.
Control with bubbleupnp.

Sound really really good to my ears.

+1 uberwaltz--the chromecast, which you used to be able to pick up for $25, had to the greatest-ever value in audio. i've a/b'd it with a ($500) bluesound node using the same dac and system and the differences were very small.

You guys also need to factor in the app and interface.
plus, BS has a DAC built in. Nothing comes close in its price performance considering it has:

1. Bluetooth
2. airplay
3. BluOS interface
4. Decent DAC
5. multiple outputs 
6. attractive form factor
7. integrated tidal and Qobuz 
7. Radio paradise 

+1 Ianrmack

If you can find a used Aries Mini, fairly hard to do, grab it unless you care about Amazon which I don't. Also used 1st gen Aries are now around $7-800 used I really like their LDS control app as well.