Just got a new Bluesound Node. Very disappointed!

Return it.  There are other options out there, both less and more expensive.

You will want to make sure the tone controls are set to off and that you have the volume set to "output level fixed".

Airplay is not even remotely at the same level of performance.

I have to agree, I think you got a defective unit. 

If you don’t like it return it. It should sound good. If not maybe what was there before was relatively rolled off? Different strokes….. What sounds good or not is a highly subjective judgement. Or it could be defective. It happens!

Also I have started using airplay of late and that too sounds very good. Either to a Cambridge streamer or to a quite meager Roku stick. Pleasantly surprised! There is no technical reason I know of why it shouldn’t sound good if done well.

What do you expect rule of thumb 25% of the cost on average goes into the build including packaging $125  you truly need to spend at least around $1k at bare minim7m to get any respectable fidelity , the Denafrips Pontus 2 by far the best under $2k dac out there that is a very respectable Audiophile product .

buy a little green computer as your Roon ready device with a Solid state 1-2 terabyte hard drive , save until you can buy one these are very cost effective products that are excellent value.