Tom
Thanks, but a couple more questions if you don't mind.
1) What does the server actually do? Why cant I just connect my laptop with Tidal installed and connect to my dac?
2) What do you get with more expensive servers compared to the Node 2?
The Node is not a server in and of itself. It is simply an interface between your home network (including the Internet) and your stereo system. Your can do the exact same thing with a laptop, but that would involve either a) dedicating a laptop to the stereo or b) hook up and unhooking a laptop to the stereo every time you want to use it. It can play files from another computer or network drive or hook directly to a number of internet music service like Tidal and inTune via embedded software (but interestingly it does not come with software to play Pandora, which surprised me, but since I am using Tidal now was not a problem for me.
It is also a lot more visually pleasing as compared to having a laptop open on a shelf if your system is located in a shared space like a living room, although this would not be as much of an issue if you have a dedicated audio space that is out of sight from your significant other. But I do have to say that I like using my iPad to control the Node, because I can easily take it back to my seat or to any other place i the house , whereas a the location of a laptop would have to be fixed because of the physical connection it has to make to your DAC.
I spoke to the Blue sound folks and they told me there were three basic differences between the Node and the Node 2. First is the physical case. The Node is pretty much a cube that sits on a 45 degree angle so one of the corners points forward towards the viewer. As such it is narrower sided to side, but higher than the equipment we are sued to seeing as ans such caused problems to some folks when trying to fit it into a rack. The node2 is a lower profile rectangular case that is proportioned more like typical audio gear and as such is easier to place. Depending on where you keep your equipment, this may or may not be a problem for you. I have a rack with movable shelves and was able to position them such that everything fit, but I can see where people who have racks with fixed shelves cold have a problem with the original Node.
Second the Node2 added the ability to interface advice like an iPhone wirelessly via Bluetooth. I have no idea how this would compare with the SQ of a WiFi or wired Ethernet connection, but since I don't use my phone as a music player, the feature does not concern me.
Last and probably the difference that would be of most interest to us as audiophiles is that the digital out put of the Node is only via a Toslink optical connection whereas the Node2 has added a RCA based spdif connection.
The rep at Bluesound also said that the Node 2 has a faster processor but that they did not fell that this lead to any significant difference in SQ. He also said that aside from what some people may consider a difference in SQ between Toslink and spdif connections there is not SQ difference between the two units.
I hope this helps.