I've been trying out the Peachtree GAN1 amp with the Bluesound NODE and have come away impressed. I think you'd be hard pressed to do better for a streamer + DAC + pre + amp solution at $1800 retail (and I paid $1200 buying used and mfr. re certified).
For those who aren't familiar, the GAN1 is a "power DAC", which means it has a single, coax, PCM digital input (analog preamps need not apply). That digital input then goes through a simple conversion to PWM and then to the GANfet based output stage. So no need for a separate DAC. Super simple signal path. The amp is relatively small, cool running, and light for the 200w/ch power rating.
The wrinkle here is that your source needs a coax digital output with volume control. Most digital coax outputs on streamers and the like are fixed volume. The Bluesound NODE is one of the rare sources whose volume control controls volume on both digital and analog outputs. Other options would be to do volume control in Roon (cheaper), or something like the Eversolo A6 or Lumin U2 mini (more expensive). The NODE also has an analog input, so you could hook up a turntable, but I expect most customers for this combo will be digital/streaming only. And it also has eARC, for connecting a TV.
Upshot on the NODE + GAN1 stack: it sounds really great for the money. Kind of shocking for $1800 retail for the system. Great purity, solid bass performance (both into my Falcon LS3/5a and Magico M3). If anything, a touch warm in the upper bass, but nothing distracting.
Some of you may be thinking "but doesn't digital volume control reduce resolution as you attenuate?" Technically yes, but you shouldn't jump to conclusions. The sound quality I'm hearing suggests that you're picking up a lot more from the simple signal path and high speed GANfets than you are losing from the NODE's digital volume control solution. I also found that the NODE trounced a Raspberry Pi equipped with an Allo DigiOne Signature coax output when using Roon for volume adjustments.
Anyhow, the Peachtree GAN1 is on sale right now ($1200, I think), and Peachtree says the technology will be folded into their next gen integrated amps. One more example of how various new amplifier technologies (class D, powerDACs) seem poised to dominate and transform the hifi world in the "reasonable" price points.
Always nice to be getting more for your money than before!